Allegory (Nature as the Nursemaid of Art) — Jan van Hemessen

Jan van Hemessen. Painted 1540 - 1557.

A partially nude woman sprinkles milk from her breast on a man’s viol. This enigmatic scene may represent Mother Nature, who inspires and nourishes Art. Van Hemessen was a leading Antwerp painter in the second quarter of the 16th century. His figures betray a marked Italian influence, especially in his use of soft, ‘smoky’ contours, the so-called sfumato painting technique.

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

panel, oil paint (paint) · Original size: 189 × 159 cm · On loan from the Koninklijk Kabinet van Schilderijen Mauritshuis

Print: 119 × 100.1 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20064842. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.