Sight and Smell, In this painting, two allegorical figures Sight (on the left) and Smell (on the right) are seated at a table. Both figures allude to the sense they embody, as Smell smells of the flowers the putti nearest her holds and Sight gazes at herself in a mirror held by another putti. Other allusions to smell include the civet cat which represents a foul odor and the dog which represents a keen sense of smell. Allusions to sight are symbolized in the works of art on the walls, such as The Healing of the Blind, and are evident in the presence of the magnifying glass and telescope., c.1620

 Item — Box: 267
Identifier: spc-mss0088-s36-i1347

Staff Only
Sight and Smell, In this painting, two allegorical figures Sight (on the left) and Smell (on the right) are seated at a table. Both figures allude to the sense they embody, as Smell smells of the flowers the putti nearest her holds and Sight gazes at herself in a mirror held by another putti. Other allusions to smell include the civet cat which represents a foul odor and the dog which represents a keen sense of smell. Allusions to sight are symbolized in the works of art on the walls, such as The Healing of the Blind, and are evident in the presence of the magnifying glass and telescope.

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Scope and Contents

Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.FLEM.1287; Other stamp identifier: CV Stamp; Public Notes: Gerard Seghers, Frans Fracken, “the younger” and Joost de Momper painted many of the elements in this composition. The pendant to this piece is a painting of Hearing, Taste, and Touch that was also housed in the Alcazar Palace in 1623.

Dates

  • Creation: c.1620

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Subjects: statues; globes; mirrors; flowers; putti; jewelry; paintings; School: Flemish; Style period: Baroque; Technique: painting (technique); Work type: paintings

Full Extent

1 Items : Image Work Type: photographic print ; Image height (in.): 7.1; Image width (in.): 10.1in.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

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