Allegory I.

Inspired by Rubens’ ‘Emperor Theodosius refused Entry into a Milan Cathedral,’(c.1615), the emperor having been replaced another figure from Anthony van Dyck’s ‘The Virgin and Child with Saints Rosalie, Peter, and Paul’ (c.1629). ‘Beauty’ is represented by a depiction of Leda from the Greek myth Leda and the Swan, a woman whose beauty was so enchanting that she enticed Zeus to transform himself into a swan to seduce her. The artist has also painted himself into this scene (third from the left) appearing to orchestrate the scene oof Beauty influencing judgment.