Wisdom and Truth banishing Envy and Spite
Gerard Lanscroon (Mechelen 1655 - Soho, London 1737)
Category
Art / Wall paintings
Date
circa 1705
Materials
Oil on plaster
Measurements
6700 mm (Width) x 4500 mm (Depth)
Place of origin
Wales
Collection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1181276.1
Summary
Oil painting on plaster, Wisdom and Truth banishing Envy and Spite by Gerard Lanscroon (Mechelen or Malines, fl. in England from 1655 - Soho, London 1737), circa 1705. An allegorical ceiling painting. Sitting centrally on a cloud are the goddess of Wisdom dressed in armour and holding a laurel wreath and a helmet and to her left the goddess of Truth holding up a mirror. To the right of Wisdom are the figures of Envy and Spite represented by a figure holding two torches and a figure pulling at their hair. They are being pursued by the figure of Justice holding a sword and scales. To the left of Truth are two more female figures, one holding a compass and a spur, the other playing the harp. Beside the harp player are various attributes for the arts and science including a globe, artist's palette, a theatre mask and a violin. There is also an oval portrait of a man in 18th-century dress with a long gray wig, red jacket and a white cravat. Also beside Truth on the cloud is a clock. Above the scene is a cherub holding an ouroboros. Below the allegorical figures are two young girls holding and wearing white flowers and pink roses. they are standing at a balustrade decorated with orange trees. The ceiling painting was commission by William Herbert, 2nd Marquess of Powis (c.1665–1745) and four of his daughters are presented on the ceiling. The two eldest daughters, Mary and Anne, represent personifications of Wisdom and Truth and the two younger daughters, Charlotte and Theresa, are at the balustrade below.
Provenance
Painted by Gerard Lanscroon in 1705 for William Herbert, 2nd Marquess of Powis (c.1665–1745).Powis Castle was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1952 by George Herbert, 4th Earl of Powis
Makers and roles
Gerard Lanscroon (Mechelen 1655 - Soho, London 1737), artist
References
Chu 2018 John Chu, House of Portraits: Powis Castle, Swindon, 2018, p.7