Allegory of Grammar
- Artist: Laurent de La Hyre
- Date: 1650
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Allegory of Grammar" by Laurent de La Hyre. Painted in 1650, this oil on canvas work is one of seven paintings representing the Liberal Arts. Here we see Grammar personified as a woman watering plants, symbolizing the need for encouragement in young minds to develop and grow. Notice how her drapery appears solid and arranged in crisp folds, imitating classical sculpture. The Latin inscription on the scroll can be translated as 'A meaningful and literate word spoken in the correct manner'. La Hyre was likely inspired by Cesare Ripa's illustrated dictionary, Iconologia, which was published five years prior to this series.
See it in person
Allegory of Grammar hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
