Artwork

The Statue of Opportunity, a Passer-by, and Remorse [fol. 8r]

The Statue of Opportunity, a Passer-by, and Remorse [fol. 8r], by French early 16th Century, ink, 1514
The Statue of Opportunity, a Passer-by, and Remorse [fol. 8r], by French early 16th Century, ink, 1514

The Statue of Opportunity, a Passer-by, and Remorse [fol. 8r] is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist French early 16th Century. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This drawing, created with pen, brown ink, and watercolor on laid paper, presents a Renaissance allegory comprising three distinct scenes.

About this work

To learn more about the Renaissance movement, explore the works of artists from this era, such as the French early 16th Century.

This image presents a Renaissance allegory, showcasing three distinct scenes. In the top left, a winged figure stands on a wheel, grasping a bow and arrow. The bottom left features a man dressed in a long coat, hat, and boots, pointing upwards with his right hand. On the right, a woman is depicted in a tower, surrounded by a dome. The background is a light beige color, with illegible text written in brown ink.

The artist's use of pen, brown ink, and watercolor creates a sense of depth and texture in the image. The allegorical nature of the painting invites the viewer to interpret its meaning.

To learn more about the Renaissance movement, explore the works of artists from this era, such as the French early 16th Century.

Overview

This drawing, created with pen, brown ink, and watercolor on laid paper, presents a Renaissance allegory comprising three distinct scenes. The work is characterized by a light beige background and features illegible text written in brown ink.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts three figures: a winged figure on a wheel with a bow and arrow, a man in a long coat pointing upwards, and a woman in a tower. The allegorical nature of the drawing invites interpretation of its meaning, with each figure potentially symbolizing abstract concepts.

Technique & Style

The artist's use of pen, brown ink, and watercolor creates a sense of depth and texture, characteristic of Renaissance drawing techniques. The combination of media allows for a range of tonal values and expressive lines.

Artist & collection

Portrait of French early 16th Century

Artist

French early 16th Century

A French draftsman from the early 1500s filled sheets of laid paper with tiny, sharp-tongued instructions—ink sketches paired with warnings like “Do Not Eat Your Heart Out” or “Feed Not Things That Have Sharp Claws.”…

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