In this allegory, various symbolic motifs are brought together to express clement xi's papacy (r. 1700-1721) as an abstract concept. The standing woman at center wearing the papal tiara is holding her cape in a protective manner over a little temple supported by angels. She may by an allegory of religion protecting the roman church. To the base, on which she stands like a column, are chained different agonized figures symbolizing vices, an allusion to protestants and muslims. Above, fame blows her horn while pointing to a portrait of the pontiff. The allegory as a whole is a portrait or a mirror of the pope and his virtues. Object Type: painting. Genre: allegory. Date: circa 1720 Baroque (late 16th century–1750s). Place of creation: Naples, Italy. Dimensions: Painted surface height: 70.4 cm (27.7 in); width: 52.2 cm (20.5 in). Medium: oil on copper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Domenico Antonio Vaccaro - Allegory of the Papacy of Clement XI - Walters 371897
Loading...
