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17th C representation of Roof of Folly: An Allegory of the Fall, German School

About the Item

17th C representation of the Roof of Folly: An Allegory of the Fall, German School This enigmatic 17th-century painting, laden with symbolic content, echoes the allegorical tradition of Hieronymus Bosch, fusing grotesque imagery with theological satire. Human and avian forms intermingle within a visionary, dreamlike landscape marked by spiritual tension and uncanny beauty. At the heart of this dark allegory, a crumbling rooftop serves as a stage for human folly and spiritual neglect. A central figure — a fiddler garbed as a jester — plays a tune of distraction as the world deteriorates beneath him. Surrounding him are distorted figures: a bird-headed demon whispers temptations, a silent monk embodies passive complicity, and a child imitates the foolhardiness of his elders. Overhead, a black-winged angel watches in silence, evoking divine judgment or perhaps lost innocence. Below, an elderly woman ascends through the wreckage, bearing a candle — a solitary seeker of truth in a world steeped in shadow. Though unsigned, the painting’s precise characterizations and densely layered symbolism suggest a didactic intention — a visual sermon warning against spiritual complacency amid societal upheaval. In the tradition of Bosch and Pieter Bruegel, this work confronts the viewer with a sobering question: in a world enthralled by spectacle and decay, who among us still strives toward the light? 17th-century German painting brings to life fantastical human creatures with bird-like traits—an eerie, whimsical nod to the surreal genius of Hieronymus Bosch. Human and avian forms merge in a dreamlike, allegorical scene, channeling Bosch’s visionary world of spiritual tension and strange beauty.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)Width: 17.33 in (44 cm)Depth: 3.15 in (8 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Canvas,Hand-Painted
  • Place of Origin:
    Germany
  • Period:
    17th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    -
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
  • Seller Location:
    Leuven , BE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3301145315042

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