Allegory - Religious Frivolity
1518
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1518
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Allegory - Religious Frivolity is a 1518 ink by Weiditz, II, Hans, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a crowded scene of people in long robes, some holding books or scrolls. A few figures are playing musical instruments, while others stand in groups, chatting or gesturing. The background has swirling clouds and a mix of trees and a rocky landscape. One person is holding a ladder, and another leans on a tall staff. The artist packed a lot into this small space—everyone looks busy, but no one is doing anything serious. The mix of music, books, and odd props suggests a story about distraction or wasted time. This is a woodcut, a printing method where artists carve images into wood blocks.
