Charles de LA FOSSE (Paris, 1636 - 1716) Royal allegory Oil on canvas Royal allegory, oil on canvas, by C. de La Fosse 31.10 x 24.61 in. 79.0 x 62.5 cm Provenance: Galerie Eric Coatalem, Paris, in 2011-2013 ; Acquired from the latter by the current owner's father; Private collection, France Exhibitions: Tableaux français du XVIIe siècle, Paris, Galerie Eric Coatalem, 2013, p. 62-63 Bibliography: Clémentine Gustin-Gomez, Charles de La Fosse 1636-1716. Œuvres inédites, nouveautés et publications (online), cat. 2011-p. 10 This painted study could be related to a royal commission, although it is not possible to identify the person being honoured as the imposing oval frame in the centre is left vacant. The most prominent painters sometimes kept ready-made allegorical paintings in their studios, to which they would then add the portrait of the person being honoured when they received a commission. As well as saving a considerable amount of time during busy periods, these different compositions were undoubtedly unveiled to clients visiting the studio, who could then choose the allegorical repertoire they wished to display alongside the portrait. The figures and allegories depicted flatter the person being portrayed: Wisdom, for example, is represented on the right by an armed Minerva with her hand resting on her shield. In the lower left-hand register, we see Justice with her scales and Prudence holding a mirror with a snake at her feet. Both are overcoming captives. The young woman on the left, holding a compass, is probably an allegory of the sciences. Above her is a young woman pointing to the luminous triangle symbolising the protection of the Holy Spirit. Two preparatory drawings for this painting are known. One is in Manchester, Whitworth Art Gallery, inv. D. 1926.451, and depicts Minerva (no. D.121 in the catalogue compiled by Clémentine Gustin Gomez). The male figure on the ground on the left is in a private collection in Paris (no. D 248 in the catalogue by Clémentine Gustin Gomez). A drawing showing a similar composition of allegorical figures framing a portrait is in the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, inv. NM H 2752/1863 (no. D.275 in the Clémentine Gustin-Gomez catalogue). Charles de LA FOSSE (Paris, 1636 - 1716) 79.0 x 62.5 cm This painted study is likely to have been commissioned by the King, although it is not possible to identify the person being honoured, as the imposing oval frame in the centre has been left vacant. The most prominent painters sometimes kept ready-made allegorical paintings in their studios, to which they would then add the portrait of the person being honoured when they received a commission. As well as saving a considerable amount of time during busy periods, these different compositions were undoubtedly unveiled to clients visiting the studio, who could then choose the allegorical repertoire they wished to display alongside the portrait. The figures and allegories depicted flatter the person being portrayed: Wisdom, for example, is represented on the right by an armed Minerva with her hand resting on her shield. In the lower left-hand register, we see Justice with her scales and Prudence holding a mirror with a snake at her feet. Both are overcoming captives. The young woman on the left, holding a compass, is probably an allegory of the sciences. Above her is a young woman pointing to the luminous triangle symbolising the protection of the Holy Spirit. Two preparatory drawings for this painting are known. One is in Manchester, Whitworth Art Gallery, inv. D. 1926.451, and depicts Minerva (no. D.121 in the catalogue compiled by Clémentine Gustin Gomez). The male figure on the ground on the left is in a private collection in Paris (no. D 248 in the catalogue by Clémentine Gustin Gomez). A drawing showing a similar composition of allegorical figures framing a portrait is in the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, inv. NM H 2752/1863 (no. D.275 in the Clémentine Gustin-Gomez catalogue).