The Allegory of the Seven Liberal Arts

Phoebus Focus III

The picture we are looking at in this edition in the Phoebus Focus series was painted by Maerten De Vos (1532-1603), one of sixteenth-century Antwerp’s leading artists. Yet up until now it has been relatively unknown and little studied. It has remained under the radar for so long because for generations it has been privately owned, with its most recent stop being in Turin, Italy.

Seven female figures in exquisite colours dominate this intriguing Allegory of the Seven Liberal Arts, painted sometime around 1590. Though there is no communication between the seven ladies, they still share a strong sense of connectedness. None of them seem to be made of real flesh and blood. So who, or what, are they? Ladies of legend? Mythological maidens?