Who painted An Allegory of the Senses?

An Allegory of the Senses was painted by Gerard de Lairesse in 1668.

Where can I see An Allegory of the Senses?

An Allegory of the Senses is held by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

What movement is An Allegory of the Senses?

An Allegory of the Senses is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

An Allegory of the Senses

Gerard de Lairesse , 1668

An Allegory of the Senses is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard de Lairesse. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1668, *An Allegory of the Senses* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Gerard de Lairesse. The work depicts a garden scene populated by a woman and three children, each engaged with objects that symbolize the five senses. It is part of the collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Subject & Meaning

The central female figure holds a mirror and a flower, representing sight and smell, while the children interact with a bow and arrow, another flower, and a second mirror, suggesting hearing, taste, and touch. Together the figures form a visual allegory that personifies the sensory experiences through everyday objects and gestures.

Technique & Style

De Lairese employs a refined chiaroscuro, using light and shadow to model forms and give the garden a palpable depth. Fine brushwork renders textures such as fabric, foliage, and marble, while a balanced palette of muted earth tones and vivid accents highlights the symbolic items without overwhelming the composition.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced shortly after the death of Rembrandt, a period when Dutch artists increasingly turned to classical allegory. It entered the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum’s holdings in the early 20th century, where it remains on display as a representative example of de Lairesse’s mature output.

Context

De Lairesse’s allegorical approach reflects the influence of Cesare Ripa’s *Iconologia* and the French classicist tradition of Charles le Brun. As a theorist, he later authored *Grondlegginge Ter Teekenkonst* (1701) and *Groot Schilderboek* (1707), texts that shaped Dutch artistic practice in the early 18th century.