The Lovers
1490
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
About the artist
Artist
Wenzel von Olmutz
Wenzel von Olmutz (1500–1490) was a Bohemian artist, born in Moravia.
See the richer artist page1490
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Lovers is a 1490 by Wenzel von Olmutz, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
The painting shows a man and woman sitting together in a quiet garden. They are surrounded by symbols of love and purity. The woman's dog is also there, adding to the peaceful scene. The garden is simple, with a vase of flowers and a basin of water. The flowers are carnations, which symbolize virginity. This suggests that the love between the man and woman is chaste. This painting is similar to works by other artists of the time, and to learn more, you can look up the technique of sfumato.
In this image, a man and woman sit facing one another; the woman casts her eyes down shyly as the man makes a tender touch, an invitation to love. This artist pared down a garden of love to an arbor with a low fence, a vase of flowers, and a basin of water holding a jug of wine and cup. The love displayed in the garden is chaste, as intended. This is apparent by the wine in the water bath, suggesting cooled desire; the carnations in the vase, symbols of virginity; and the woman’s small dog, a sign of fidelity.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Wenzel von Olmutz (1500–1490) was a Bohemian artist, born in Moravia.
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