Who painted Allegory of charity?

Allegory of charity was painted by Gerard de Lairesse in 1679-01-01.

Where can I see Allegory of charity?

Allegory of charity is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Allegory of charity?

Allegory of charity is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Allegory of charity

Gerard de Lairesse , 1690

Allegory of charity is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard de Lairesse. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting allegorically represents the Christian virtue of Charity. As indicated by its title and its classification as an allegory, the work uses a female figure to embody this virtue; the source notes that the painting depicts a woman, suggesting that the female form personifies charitable love and generosity.

Technique & Style

The composition arranges the central female figure amid softly diffused light, reinforcing the allegorical narrative through restrained yet expressive contours.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, with the support measuring 288 cm in height and 160 cm in width. De Lairesse’s handling emphasizes smooth modeling and fine gradations of light, typical of Dutch classicism, to articulate the allegorical figure’s drapery and gestures. The composition arranges the central female figure amid softly diffused light, reinforcing the allegorical narrative through restrained yet expressive contours. No specific condition details are provided in the cited sources.

History & Provenance

Gerard de Lairesse created the oil painting Allegory of Charity in 1679 within the Northern Low Countries. The work was commissioned by Philips de Flines, who is recorded as the original owner at the time of its creation. Executed on canvas, the large-scale allegorical piece measures 288 cm in height and 160 cm in width. The painting subsequently entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the permanent holdings.

Overview

Gerard de Lairesse’s Allegory of Charity is an oil painting executed in 1690. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It presents a staged scene within a dimly lit, arched interior, where three figures are arranged in a balanced composition that reflects the artist’s classical leanings.