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An Allegorical Female Figure: Poetry (?)

Giovanni Battista Zelotti

1562

oil

canvas

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Mannerism Allegory

Dominant colour

An Allegorical Female Figure: Poetry (?) is a 1562 oil by Giovanni Battista Zelotti, a Mannerism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Giovanni Battista Zelotti
When & what style?: 1562 · Mannerism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting depicts a woman reclining on a slope, her right arm extended and her left arm resting on her lap. She wears a flowing robe with a circular brooch at her shoulder. The background is dark, with the woman's figure illuminated by a soft light. The woman's pose and expression suggest a sense of contemplation or inspiration. Her outstretched arm may be gesturing to something outside the frame, adding a sense of movement to the otherwise static scene. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds depth and dimension to the painting.

About the artist

Artist

Giovanni Battista Zelotti

Giovanni Battista Zelotti (Italian pronunciation: ; 1526 – 28 August 1578) was an Italian painter of the late Renaissance, active in Venice and her mainland territories.

See the richer artist page