Who painted The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity?

The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity was painted by Frans van Mieris the Elder.

Where can I see The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity?

The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity?

The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity?

Museum-quality prints of The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity

Frans van Mieris the Elder

The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Frans van Mieris the Elder. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As an allegorical genre work, it relies on this specific iconography to convey a moral or narrative concept regarding female purity.

Created by Frans van Mieris the Elder in 1676, this oil painting on panel is explicitly classified as an allegory. The work's title, The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity, directly defines its subject matter and symbolic intent. The piece serves as a visual representation of the transition from innocence to experience, using the metaphor of a bird escaping its cage to signify the loss of virginity.

As an allegorical genre work, it relies on this specific iconography to convey a moral or narrative concept regarding female purity.

Technique & Style

The painting was executed in oil on wood panel in 1676. It measures 17.5 cm in height and 14 cm in width, characteristic of a small-scale Dutch allegorical work of the late 17th century. The brushwork demonstrates fine linear detail and a restrained palette, emphasizing symbolic narrative over naturalistic representation. The composition balances intimate storytelling with allegorical clarity, reflecting the stylistic conventions of Dutch Golden Age painting.

Legacy

The painting has been cited as an early example of erotic allegory in Dutch Golden Age art, influencing later artists who explored themes of sensuality and moral transgression. Its visual language informed subsequent works that juxtaposed innocence with symbolic loss, shaping scholarly discussions of sexuality in 17th‑century painting. The work remains part of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum collections, preserving its role in the narrative of Dutch art history.

Overview

The Flown Bird: Allegory on the Loss of Virginity is a 1688 oil painting by Frans van Mieris the Elder, a Dutch Golden Age artist from Leiden.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. It was created by Frans van Mieris the Elder, a member of a prominent family of Dutch painters.