Allegory of Human Folly (based on an ancient proverb)

Oil on canvas

71 x 97 cm.

Framed: 90 x 121 cm.

This fascinating painting, with its satirical and moralising undertones, attributed to the Flemish artist Alexander van Bredael (Antwerp 1663 – 1720), constitutes a perceptive allegory of human folly and the illusion of wisdom.

More specifically, it is a transposition onto canvas of a famous 1685 engraving by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Bologna 1634 – 1718), the creator of a series of highly renowned popular prints, based on the idea of giving visual form to popular sayings.

The conceptual core of the painting lies in the two main inscriptions inherited from Mitelli’s print, which also provide the work’s title: in the first, at the top, the ironic dedication ‘It is dedicated to those who consider themselves wise (or prudent)’, whilst in the centre, on a scroll, the inscription ‘Almost everyone gets it, some more than others’ stands out, satirically alluding to the bouts of madness indiscriminately bestowed upon every human being, without exception.

The scene, set in a hilly landscape dominated by a fortified stronghold, is populated by a chaotic multitude of figures—men and women from all walks of life, on foot and on horseback—who are rushing forward with poles, branches and sticks, attempting to strike the effigy of a crescent moon (a traditional symbol of fickleness and madness), suspended from a tree.

One could write an entire book to explore the bizarre iconography of this painting in depth, but we shall limit ourselves, as far as possible, to analysing its main aspects. We are faced with a complex composition, featuring numerous figures and allegorical symbols, which collectively suggest that all men, even those who consider themselves the wisest, occasionally behave in a mad or ridiculous manner.

Even today, the saying “to try to hit the moon with a stick” refers to someone attempting to reach something infinitely far away with wholly inadequate means; it therefore means attempting an impossible and senseless feat, whilst wasting one’s energy.

The moon, in cultural and literary tradition, has in fact always been the universal symbol of madness, eccentricity and human extravagance.

Beneath the moon, a chaotic crowd of characters moves about, arguing, dancing grotesquely, chasing one another and behaving absurdly. No one is spared: life is a great performance in which madness befalls each and every one of us, ‘some more, some less’, as the saying goes.

The work is dotted with mysterious and intriguing figures of great symbolic significance, including: a woman wearing a mask (symbolising falsehood or pretence), a man striking his head with a stone (indicating the inner conflict he wishes to eradicate), and a man attempting to grasp a laurel wreath resting on a tree branch (alluding to the hunger for ambition). The men trudging wearily along, carrying heavy logs, represent a metaphor for the absurd and arduous undertakings that man imposes upon himself.

In the Flemish painting tradition, visual representations of contemporary proverbs and sayings were very much in vogue as a means of reflecting on human folly (one need only think of the series Pieter Bruegel dedicated to this theme), and many workshops, including that of the Van Bredaels, used prints and engravings as models for this purpose.

Collectors of the time (and of subsequent centuries) were mad about these paintings because they combined the fun of spotting absurd details with a profound moral lesson.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is complemented by a lovely gilded frame.

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We arrange and organise the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, using professional and insured carriers.

Please contact us for any further information; we shall be delighted to assist you. You may also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we look forward to welcoming you to show you our collection of works.

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