Allegory of the Fall of Ignorant Humanity: Virtus Combusta

About this work

This print shows six figures standing on a set of wide steps. The people are nude or nearly so, with one woman holding a stick and another sitting beside a plump man who holds a staff. A dog lies at the bottom left, and two small winged children sit near a jar and a bunch of grapes. The background has a textured, almost woven look, and the whole scene feels busy and dramatic. The title hints this is about a moral lesson—likely about ignorance or virtue. The artist used deep shadows and strong contrasts to give the figures a solid, almost sculpted look. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique works.