An Allegory of Poverty, the Enemy of the Arts

The subject of the present painting is probably allegorical, but the identification of the two figures is difficult. The nude woman appears to have an olive branch in her hand which might refer to poetry. The woman who has thrown her to the ground is crowned with a spiky wreath, a broken column behind her.

The attribution to Celesti was originally suggested by Carlo Volpi (private communication, 22 November 1971), an opinion which is supported by Teresio Pignatti (private communication, 9 May 1972). Volpi notes the evident influence of Liberi, Forabosco and Mazzoni.