Allegory of Grammar. Laurent de La Hyre
Description
As in the companion "Allegory of Arithmetic" (Walters 37.1917), this personification of the liberal art of Grammar is engaged in an activity to show how ideas impact real life. To demonstrate how important grammar and clear writing are in making ideas "bloom," the artist metaphorically represents Grammar watering two pots of flowers. Over her arm is a scroll bearing an ancient definition of grammar in Latin: "A literate tongue, spoken in the required manner." By the inscription, L. DE LA Hyre In. & F. 1650-"In." is an abbreviation for invenit (Latin for invented) and "F." for fecit (made it)-the artist emphasized his responsibility for the conception as well as the execution of the paintings.
Date 1650 (Baroque)
oil on canvas
103.2 × 112.4 cm (40.6 × 44.3 in)
Walters Art Museum
Accession number 37.862
Place of creation Paris, France
Object history
Don Marcello Massarenti Collection, Rome
1902: purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore
1931: bequeathed to Walters Art Museum by Henry Walters
Exhibition history Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1999-2000.
Credit line Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902
Inscriptions Signed and dated at the lower left: L. De La Hyre in. & F.1650
See also: Allegory, Paintings, Drawings
Fine Art Prints | Greeting Cards | Phone Cases | Lifestyle | Face Masks | Men's , Women' Apparel | Home Decor | jigsaw puzzles | Notebooks | Tapestries | ...
