The artwork titled “Four Allegories Falsehood (Wisdom)” was created by Giovanni Bellini around 1490. Rendered in oil on wood, this piece belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement. It measures 34 by 22 centimeters and is part of a series known as “Four Allegories”. As an allegorical painting, the artwork exemplifies symbolic representation typical of the genre.
In the artwork, three figures are prominently displayed against a backdrop of what appears to be a fortified town or cityscape. The figures are depicted in dynamic postures, engaging with what looks like serpents or snakes. One figure, clothed in a short tunic and boots, stands on a pedestal holding a staff while entwined with a serpent. Another figure, minimally clothed, appears to assist or interact with the central figure and the creatures. The third figure, more obscure and seemingly emerging from a draped background cloth, is also ensnared by multiple serpents. The stark contrast between the delicate treatment of the figures and the troubling nature of their engagement with the serpents lends the scene a dramatic and contemplative tone. The sky, painted in subdued shades, further enhances the ominous and somber atmosphere of this allegorical composition.
