Allegory

Lucas Van Leyden 1494 - 1533

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Lucas van Leyden. The drawing shows a nude male figure sitting on a sphere with another figure standing behind. The sphere appears to be resting on clouds. The figure positioned at the front is the focus of the composition and his body faces forwards while his head is turned to look to the left. His right arm is resting on the sphere on which he sits and is holding a piece of a grapevine. His left arm reaches out and we assume that it is holding a staff, which stands at an angle on the ground beside him; however, the right edge of the composition cuts off the hand so we do not know this for sure. Attached to this staff is a label, which bears the artist's signature. The other figure can be seen to the left; he is facing away from the viewer but is also turned to look towards the left. He has his left hand raised with the palm facing upwards. The head of a sleeping lion is at the left edge of the composition. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 21 LUCAS VAN LEYDEN (b. 1494; d. 1533) ALLEGORY British Museum, 1892.8.4.9. (From the W. H. Barnard Collection.) Silver-point on white prepared ground. 27.8 x 20.4 cm. (10 15/16 x 8 in.) Two naked men are seated back to back upon a sphere which rests on clouds. The foremost lets a spray of vine trail from his right hand across the sphere, while in his extended left hand he holds a rod from which a tablet depends, bearing the signature 'L.' The other figure, seen from the back, holds what seems to be a paddle, or else some form of spade, in his right hand. Near his feet is a lion. The meaning of the allegory has received no satisfactory explanation. Mr. Colvin has called attention to a passage in which Leonardo da Vinci writes of Pleasure and Pain as inseparable companions, who yet turn their backs one to the other, because they are contraries; but there is no sign here that the figures are joined, nor do the attributes that they carry support such an interpretation. ... C. D."