Who painted Allegory of Freedom?

Allegory of Freedom was painted by Mattheus Terwesten in 1701.

Where can I see Allegory of Freedom?

Allegory of Freedom is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Allegory of Freedom?

Allegory of Freedom is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Allegory of Freedom?

Museum-quality prints of Allegory of Freedom are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Allegory of Freedom

Mattheus Terwesten , 1701

Allegory of Freedom is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Mattheus Terwesten. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The formal composition exemplifies the allegorical genre, employing classical compositional balance and symbolic iconography to convey themes of liberty.

The artwork titled Allegory of Freedom is an oil painting created by Mattheus Terwesten in 1701. It is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 126 cm in height by 105.5 cm in width. The formal composition exemplifies the allegorical genre, employing classical compositional balance and symbolic iconography to convey themes of liberty.

The work is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection, where its condition and handling have been preserved through standard museum conservation practices.

History & Provenance

The painting Allegory of Freedom was created by the artist Mattheus Terwesten in 1701. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 126 cm in height and 105.5 cm in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located.

No further details regarding specific commissions, earlier ownership chains, or the circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records beyond its attribution to Terwesten and its inception date.

Overview

Created in 1701 by Dutch painter Mattheus Terwesten, this oil on canvas presents an allegorical scene typical of the early Rococo period. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s blend of portraiture and symbolic imagery.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre sits a female figure dressed in a pink and yellow gown, her right arm wrapped in a white cloth, grasping a tall pole with her left hand. Flanked by two winged cherubs, the composition suggests an embodiment of liberty, the pole serving as a conventional attribute of freedom while the surrounding figures emphasize a gentle, divine endorsement.