Who painted Allegory on shipping?

Allegory on shipping was painted by Jacob de Wit in 1732.

Where can I see Allegory on shipping?

Allegory on shipping is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Allegory on shipping?

Allegory on shipping is associated with Rococo painting.

Allegory on shipping by Jacob de Wit (1732)

About this work

Technique & Style

The handling privileges clarity and legibility, with crisp outlines and a restrained palette that heightens the emblematic clarity of the allegory.

Executed in oil paint on canvas in 1732, the work belongs to the mature Amsterdam rococo idiom associated with Jacob de Wit, where fluent figural handling and a silvery palette articulate allegorical narrative. The composition is organized around a central female personification surrounded by maritime and mercantile attributes, rendered with smooth brushwork and delicate chiaroscuro that emphasize volumetric form and graceful contours. The canvas support measures 111 cm in height and 113 cm in width, consistent with Dutch decorative panel formats of the period.

The handling privileges clarity and legibility, with crisp outlines and a restrained palette that heightens the emblematic clarity of the allegory. No evidence of significant overpainting or structural damage is recorded in the source description; the work is listed among the holdings of the Rijksmuseum and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.

History & Provenance

Jacob de Wit created the allegorical painting Allegory on shipping in 1732. The work was executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 111 cm in height and 113 cm in width. Regarding its ownership history, the piece is currently held within the cultural heritage collections of the Netherlands.

It is associated with the Rijksmuseum and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection, where it is stored in the depot of the Rijksmuseum. The painting was previously linked to the Nederlandsch Museum voor Geschiedenis en Kunst.

The painting Allegory on shipping by Jacob de Wit, dated 1732, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. It is also associated with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection and the Nederlandsch Museum voor Geschiedenis en Kunst, with the physical object located in the Rijksmuseum depot managed by the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE). The provided sources do not list specific inventory numbers or detail any past exhibitions for this work.

Context

Jacob de Wit's 1732 painting Allegory on shipping, an oil on canvas work measuring 111 by 113 cm, exemplifies Dutch 18th-century allegorical painting through its symbolic maritime imagery and compositional balance. The work is housed in the Rijksmuseum's depot of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection, reflecting its institutional significance within Dutch cultural heritage. Scholarship emphasizes its role within de Wit's broader oeuvre of allegorical subjects, situating it within the trajectory of Dutch Golden Age painting's legacy and its continued study in major European art institutions.

Legacy

Jacob de Wit's Allegory on shipping exerted modest influence through its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum's holdings, cited in scholarly references to Dutch 18th-century allegorical painting. The work's reputation rests on its thematic continuity within Jacob de Wit's oeuvre rather than widespread exhibition history. Its legacy persists through archival documentation of the Rijksmuseum's collection, particularly depot RCE records, which preserve its physical description and provenance. Contemporary assessments of the painting remain sparse, reflecting limited scholarly attention to this specific allegorical composition.

Overview

Allegory on Shipping is a painting created by Jacob de Wit in 1732, exemplifying the Rococo style with its ornate and decorative elements. Executed in oil paint, it is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a woman seated on a curved ledge, holding a sword and scroll, possibly symbolizing strength or protection related to trade or travel. A small child stands beside her, reaching out, while a cloudy sky with faint figures looms in the background.

Justitia und Temperentia, Sebastiano Conca

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob de Wit

Jacob de Wit (19 December 1695 – 12 November 1754) was a Dutch painter and interior decorator. He is best known for his depictions of religious scenes.