Artwork
Allegory of Arithmetic
Allegory of Arithmetic is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Laurent de La Hyre. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1650, *Allegory of Arithmetic* is an oil painting by the Parisian artist Laurent de La Hyre. Executed during the French Classical Baroque era, the work now belongs to the collection of the Walters Art Museum. It exemplifies de Hyre’s engagement with allegorical subject matter within the broader Atticist tendency toward restrained classicism.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a seated woman in a blue gown and red cloak, her gaze fixed on a sheet of paper covered with numbers and symbols. Her solemn expression and the act of pointing to the calculations suggest a personification of arithmetic, embodying the intellectual discipline of mathematics as a contemplative pursuit.
Technique & Style
De Hyre employs a smooth, polished brushwork typical of French classical painting, rendering the figure and surrounding objects with clear outlines and subdued chiaroscuro. The stone wall backdrop, modest tree, and vase contribute to a balanced, orderly setting that reinforces the rational theme of the scene.
History & Provenance
After its creation in the mid‑17th century, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Walters Art Museum, where it remains on view. Its provenance reflects the work’s continued appreciation as a representative example of French Baroque allegory.
Context
The piece belongs to a period when French artists, influenced by the classical ideals of the Italian Renaissance, produced allegorical works that linked moral or intellectual virtues to visual narratives. De Hyre’s affiliation with the Atticist movement underscores his preference for clarity, restraint, and learned subject matter.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Laurent de La Hyre (French pronunciation: ; 27 February 1606 – 28 December 1656) was a French Baroque painter, born in Paris. He was a leading exponent of the neoclassical style of Parisian Atticism.
