An Allegory (Fàbula)
1592
oil
From the collection of National Galleries Scotland
1592
oil
From the collection of National Galleries Scotland
This painting shows three people and a monkey in a dark setting. The person on the left is holding a small object and looking at it closely. The person in the middle is looking at the object as well, while the person on the right is turned away. The monkey is sitting on the left person's shoulder. The painting is done in muted colors, with the only light coming from an unseen source. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama. The contrast between light and dark draws the viewer's eye to the central figure and the object they are examining. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up El Greco.
