Artwork

Allegory of Fame

Allegory of Fame, by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II, graphite, 1773
Allegory of Fame, by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II, graphite, 1773

Allegory of Fame is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Charles-Nicolas Cochin II. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Allegory of Fame is a drawing created by Charles-Nicolas Cochin II in 1773, rendered primarily in red chalk with subtle graphite undertones on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing centers on a female figure, identifiable as Fame, distinguished by a laurel wreath and a trumpet, surrounded by symbolic objects that enrich the allegorical theme.

Technique & Style

Cochin II employed red chalk to achieve expressive lines and shading, with the suggestion of sfumato contributing to the drawing's depth and atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1773, specific details about the drawing's ownership history and exhibitions are not provided in the available information.

Context

This allegorical work reflects 18th-century artistic inclinations towards symbolic and figurative subjects, with Cochin II's use of red chalk characteristic of the period's drawing practices.

Legacy

The drawing's impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements or works is not detailed in the provided context, though it remains a representative example of Cochin II's oeuvre.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.