This is a painting of an allegorical scene featuring a pathway leading to virtues, set against a natural and ornate backdrop. The image illustrates a central path made up of steps that are labeled in German, with each step representing a different virtue such as love, humility, and justice. This path leads upwards to a sacred or celestial realm, with angelic figures at the top surrounded by clouds. On either side of the path, the landscape is filled with colorful foliage and symbolic elements, such as a heart and various plants. Scrolls and banners unfurl alongside the scene contain text. This is in the style of Albrecht Dürer, exhibiting detail and moralistic symbolism.
Artwork Details
- Date
- c. 1490
- Medium
- woodcut in brown, hand-colored in green, yellow, red lake, blue, brown, and orange (border)
- Dimensions
- 3367 × 4814 px
- Public Domain
- Yes
- Museum Record
- View original
Palette