Domenicus Van Wijnen Allegory

Allegory Of Amsterdam

Allegory of Amsterdam by Domenicus Van Wijnen is a work that encapsulates Amsterdam during the 17th century. Although the work is fairly extravagant and crowded, Wijnen uses lighting to draw emphasis to three key areas of the piece. The first of which is a artist poised to begin his work at the bottom of the painting, the second being the highlighted globe with two women hovering over it, and the final area being the actual source of light in the heavens at the top of the work. All three of these fields of accentuation make individuals points about 17th century society in Amsterdam. The artist in the foreground represents Amsterdam’s influence in the arts. The globe and background represent commerce as well as Amsterdam’s presence in the world. The final area of emphasis in the heavens makes points both on religion but also on femininity. In the commotion of the entire work the artist has the greatest emphasis placed upon him as he is the most luminous, as well as the fact that he is placed in the foreground of the painting. Here Wijnen asserts the impact of art and culture in Amsterdam during this time. This is seen mostly in the fact that artist is the focal point of piece, demonstrating
This is why the heavenly figures are so lightly illuminated in contrast to the artist and the imagery of commerce. Furthermore, this is idea is demonstrated where the women peering over the globe have their sole attention on the ship despite there being an angel flying above them pointing towards the heavens, trying to draw their attention. Both the of the effects of darkening the heavens as well as the angel trying to draw the women’s focus towards the sky illustrate Winjens claims about religion during the time; where individuals of Amsterdam placed a greater emphasis on art and commerce than they did on