Allegory of the Arts and Sciences with a Portrait of Jan Govertsen van der Aer

Image credit: National Trust Images

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This painting shows Jan Govertsz. van der Aar (1544/1545–1612), a merchant from Leyden. He is seated at the table, holding a shell, and is surrounded by personifications of the Arts and Sciences. The picture serves to illustrate the sitter's role as a patron, his taste and learning. The original painting at Knole (a property in the care of the National Trust) has helped us understand the meaning of this picture. In that painting there is an inscription in Hebrew on a man's hat, which translates as 'image of peace'. In the Lacock version, the copyist hasn't quite managed to transcribe the letters correctly, so the inscription is meaningless. Peace herself is seated to the left, holding a cornucopia and an olive branch. She rests her foot on a helmet, and beside her are other symbols of conflict.

National Trust, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

near Chippenham

Title

Allegory of the Arts and Sciences with a Portrait of Jan Govertsen van der Aer

Date

17th C

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 175.5 x W 236.5 cm

Accession number

996268

Acquisition method

gift from Matilda Theresa Talbot (formerly Gilchrist-Clark), 1948

Work type

Painting

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National Trust, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

Lacock, near Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2PG England

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