Terms and conditions of use
The triumph of the virtuous artist on Parnassus
(c. 1644-1646)
Medium
etching and drypoint on cream paper on paper
Measurements
40.4 × 57.6 cm (image) 42.1 × 57.8 cm (text and sheet, trimmed within platemark) 43.8 × 59.5 cm (support)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Professor Peter Tomory, 1992
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
In this allegory of the virtuous artist who triumphs over ignorance and vice, Testa depicts the artist ascending the mountain of Parnassus that was sacred to Apollo and the Muses. He is about to be crowned by Winged Fame and is guided by Divine Wisdom who protects him from the monstrous foreground figures of Ignorance (riding the ass), Envy (snake entwined hair) and Lust (the satyr). The chained figure of Time in the foreground is trampled by the presiding figure of Venus with the basket of flowers, who here symbolises the love of wisdom.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Rome, Italy
Catalogue/s Raisonné
Bartsch 33 ii/iii
Edition
2nd of 3 states
Accession Number
P48-1992
Departments
International Prints / International Prints and Drawings
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest