Avarice was painted by Jacopo Ligozzi in 1590.

Where can I see Avarice?

Avarice is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Avarice?

Avarice is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Avarice

Jacopo Ligozzi , 1590

Avarice is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Jacopo Ligozzi. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Avarice is a 1590 drawing by Jacopo Ligozzi, created with pen and brown ink, brown wash, and gold highlights. This work showcases Ligozzi's adherence to late-Renaissance and Mannerist aesthetics.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing personifies the vice of avarice through a singular figure, conforming to the artistic conventions of the time for depicting moral themes.

Technique & Style

Ligozzi employed intricate penwork, subtle brown wash shading, and selective gold accents, characteristic of his detailed and expressive style, blending late-Renaissance precision with Mannerist flair.

History & Provenance

Created in 1590 by Jacopo Ligozzi (active 1547-1627), an Italian artist of diverse talents, the drawing's ownership history is not specified in available information.

Context

Avarice reflects the late 16th-century artistic and moral preoccupations, where personifications of vices were common in Renaissance and Mannerist art, serving didactic purposes.

Legacy

As part of Ligozzi's oeuvre, Avarice contributes to the understanding of late-Renaissance and Mannerist drawing techniques and the thematic exploration of virtues and vices during this period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacopo Ligozzi

Jacopo Ligozzi (1547–1627) was an Italian painter, illustrator, designer, and miniaturist. His art can be categorized as late-Renaissance and Mannerist styles.