Artwork

Fame as an Allegory

Fame as an Allegory, by Thomas Stothard, oil, 1804
Fame as an Allegory, by Thomas Stothard, oil, 1804

Fame as an Allegory is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Thomas Stothard. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Fame as an Allegory is a neoclassical oil painting created by Thomas Stothard around 1804. It is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts an allegorical figure of Fame, a woman in a yellow dress surrounded by cherubs, conveying a sense of joy and wonder. One cherub blows bubbles, adding to the scene's lighthearted atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Stothard's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with a ray of light shining down on the figure. The contrast between light and dark highlights the subjects, giving them a three-dimensional appearance.

Context

The work reflects Stothard's involvement in the neoclassical movement, characteristic of late 18th and early 19th-century British art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Thomas Stothard

Artist

Thomas Stothard

Thomas Stothard (17 August 1755 – 27 April 1834) was a British painter, illustrator and engraver.