Artwork
Allegory on the Right of Citizenship
Allegory on the Right of Citizenship is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Allegory on the Right of Citizenship, attributed to the artist known as 241_person, dates from around 1750 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a single pig positioned beneath a dark, tent‑like drape against a plain, light‑toned background, creating a stark visual contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a reclining pig, rests its head on its forelegs, evoking a sense of passivity. Beneath the image, the Latin inscription Ius Indigenatus translates as “right of citizenship,” suggesting the composition functions as a visual commentary on concepts of belonging, entitlement, or social status, possibly using the animal as a symbolic stand‑in.
Technique & Style
The piece employs a chiaroscuro approach, with the deep shadow of the fabric juxtaposed against the illuminated pig and background. This manipulation of light and dark heightens the three‑dimensionality of the forms and draws attention to the inscription, reinforcing the allegorical intent through dramatic contrast.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1750, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 241_person remains based on stylistic analysis rather than documented signatures, and the museum’s catalog lists it among other 18th‑century allegorical images that explore civic themes.
Artist & collection
