Artwork
Allegory on the Brevity of Life
Allegory on the Brevity of Life is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1617 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Allegory on the Brevity of Life, painted in 1617 by the artist known as 1563_person, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents three partially clothed figures arranged in an outdoor setting, framed by trees and a tranquil body of water that recedes into the distance.
Subject & Meaning
The central male figure, bearded and resting a hand on the shoulder of the woman to his right, appears to act as a mediator between the two companions. The woman’s exposed skin contrasts with the modest drapery of the men, suggesting a symbolic exploration of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of human existence.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on a subtle chiaroscuro, with soft shadows modelling the bodies and lending them a three‑dimensional presence. Light falls gently across the scene, illuminating the flesh while the surrounding foliage and water are rendered in muted tones, reinforcing the contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified later date. Its attribution to 1563_person remains consistent across catalogues, and the work has been documented as part of the museum’s permanent exhibition of allegorical genre pieces.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
