Allégorie De La Renommée 1730

Sebastiano Conca painted this Allegory of Fame in the eighteenth century using oil on canvas. Here, Conca uses the established visual codes of baroque painting to explore the idea of lasting reputation. Painting in Italy at this time was heavily influenced by the institutions of the church and the academy, and the artist's work was shaped by his membership in the Arcadian Academy in Rome. The winged figure of Fame writes in her book of remembrance, ensuring that the achievements of the great will be remembered by posterity. Note the putto at the left, a motif derived from classical antiquity and signifying divine inspiration. The painting can be understood as an argument for the enduring importance of the artistic and cultural traditions. To understand the painting more fully, we might look to the records of the Arcadian Academy and the writings of its members. It is in this context that art gains its richest meanings.