Pompeo Batoni presents, in this allegorical composition, a theatrical and vibrant vision of triumphant truth.
At the center of the work, a strikingly white female figure personifies Truth, being unveiled by Time, depicted above her as a winged old man carrying his emblematic scythe.
The swirling composition revolves around these two protagonists, surrounded by a multitude of richly draped allegorical figures. On the left, Justice in red holds her scales, while on the right, the dark figure of a vanquished demon can be distinguished. Putti and other female characters complete this dramatic scene, creating a complex balance between the different planes. The luminous and contrasting palette underscores the moral message of the work: truth always ultimately triumphs, revealed by the inexorable passage of time.
Additional Information
- Title: Time Unveiling Truth
- Artist: Pompeo Batoni
- Date: circa 1740-1745
- Dimensions: 43.3 × 26.5 cm
- Location: The Art Institute of Chicago, European Paintings and Sculptures, Gallery 216
- https://www.artic.edu/artworks/51130/time-unveiling-truth
Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787), a major figure of Italian Neoclassicism, was one of the most influential painters in 18th-century Rome. Born in Lucca, he established himself early in the Eternal City where he developed an elegant style that admirably combined the Roman classical heritage with the emerging clarity of Neoclassicism.
A celebrated portraitist sought after by European aristocracy, particularly young Britons on their Grand Tour, Batoni also excelled in historical and mythological scenes. His impeccable technique, characterized by precise drawing, luminous colors, and balanced compositions, made him the direct rival of Mengs. Batoni captured the spirit of his era, ensuring the transition between flamboyant Baroque and the Neoclassical rigor that would dominate the end of the century.
