Allegory on the Arts

Allegorical representation of the arts. In the center an altar with two burning hearts on it, behind a woman with a torch. Above flies a winged woman, perhaps Fame, her garment decorated with eyes and ears. Right Truth, a woman with a sun on her chest and a palm branch in her hand. Behind her Envy pulls the snakes from the head. Left History, an old woman, reading in a book, her foot on a winged hourglass. Behind her a jester. The representation is framed in an ornate border, consisting of a snake and various attributes, including painter's palette, painter's staff, sheet music, musical instruments, the coat of arms of Leiden and the coat of arms of Haarlem.