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Allegory of freedom, 1701. Creator: Mattheus Terwesten
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Allegory of freedom, 1701. Creator: Mattheus Terwesten
Allegory of freedom, 1701
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Media ID 36335053
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Allegorical Amorini Arrow Arrows Breast Breasts Cherubim Fasces Freedom Liberty Quiver Spear Spears Allegorical Figure Angelic Cherubs Putti
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Allegory of Freedom, 1701 Creator: Mattheus Terwesten (1630-1695) Description: This stunning oil painting, created by the Dutch artist Mattheus Terwesten in 1701, is an exquisite example of the allegorical figures and themes prevalent in the European art of the eighteenth century. The Allegory of Freedom depicts a female figure, personifying Liberty, standing proudly atop a rocky outcrop. She is dressed in flowing robes, her left hand holding a palm leaf, the symbol of victory and peace, while her right hand extends an olive branch, offering the gift of freedom to the people below. Surrounding Liberty are various allegorical figures, including Amorini (cherubs), putti (small, chubby, winged children), and cherubim. These figures represent love, joy, and the divine protection of freedom. At Liberty's feet, two boys playfully shoot arrows from a quiver, symbolizing the protection and defense of freedom. In the background, a boy and girl, representing the concept of liberty for both men and women, gaze up at the figure of Liberty with admiration. The painting is rich in color and detail, with Liberty's breast exposed, emphasizing the nurturing and giving nature of freedom. The use of fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe, symbolizes the power and authority of the state, but in this context, it is held by a putto, indicating that even the power of the state is subservient to the greater good of freedom. This masterpiece, now housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, is a testament to the artistic school of the Low Countries during the eighteenth century and serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of freedom and liberty.
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