This painting deals with the relationship between drawing and painting, a question that was much discussed from the 15th century onwards. Both arts are represented as personifications. The old man stands for drawing; he holds a sheet with a sketch of a Cupid. The embodiment of painting looks at this drawing in order to paint the motif on canvas. Hence, drawing develops the basic idea at the start of an artistic process. It is only painting, however, that can bring the motif to life through colours.
Further Media
- Material & Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Museum
- Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
- Dating
- 1656/57
- Inventory number
- Gal.-Nr. 369