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Allegorical printsReset filters
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  • Women representing architecture and astronomy. Coloured stipple engraving by J. Chapman, 1803, after R. Corbould.
  • Left, a woman personifying science instructing her children in how to use a microscope; a woman personifying truth reveals the scene to Father Time. Mezzotint after T.S. Duché, 1787.
  • A woman performing chemical experiments with a furnace: representing chemistry. Etching by E-J-N. de Ghendt after C-N. Cochin the younger, 1773.
  • An old woman with a flower; representing the sense of smell. Mezzotint by A.H.J. Degmair after P.A. Wille.
  • The god Apollo holding his bow and an arrow. Engraving by E. Delaune, ca. 1560.
  • A female allegorical figure of theory guiding a boy towards a nude female figure representing Nature, who is revealed by the winged figure of painting. Crayon manner print by J.B. Lucien, 1795, after P.T. Le Clerc.
  • The three theological virtues: Faith enthroned in the middle; Charity on the left, and Hope on the right. Aquatint.
  • Britannia and her lion are begging on a bench on the Thames Embankment, impoverished by proposed Liberal reforms; beyond, the Palace of Westminster in ruins. Colour lithograph by Tom Merry, 28 November 1891.
  • A man rises from behind a gravestone as a skeleton in a shroud attempts to keep it closed. Etching by J. Haynes after J. Mortimer.
  • Cupid presides over a group of naked women who sit separated from groups of yearning men; symbolising the passion of love. Etching by J. Audran after C. Gillot.
  • A woman in ragged clothing stands inside a stone niche holding a bowl; representing poverty. Coloured aquatint by H. Shaw, 1843.
  • The Christ Child sleeps as a bridegroom in the believer's heart, making it safe as a bride from wind and storm raging outside. Engraving by A. Wierix, ca. 1600.
  • Iris, Aesculapius and Flora routing death. Mezzotint by J.J. Haid, 1737, after J.W. Baumgartner.
  • Peasants doing farmwork, thatching their huts and preparing food; representing the Silver Age. Etching by A. Tempesta.
  • A woman with shears holding a sheep; representing June. Engraving.
  • Works of mercy: just as water extinguishes fire, so works of mercy (with penitence) extinguish sin. Engraving attributed to T. Galle, 1601.
  • Saint Paul and his epistles, acclaimed by the four continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Engraving.
  • An allegory of cholera mortality. Etching by A. Burdet after A. Raffet.
  • A lower class young woman; representing the St Giles's area of London. Stippple engraving by F. Bartolozzi, 1783, after J.H. Benwell.
  • A classical courtyard filled with natural philosophers, scientists and artists. Engraving after S. Le Clerc.
  • Women personifying the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia, are protected by Father Time, while a woman personifying antiquity points to the value of ancient coins. Engraving by M. van der Gucht after P. Berchet.
  • A new-born child being given its first bath. Engraving, 1800.
  • A woman representing Nature gives a baby to a mother; representing man's vulnerable and naked birth. Engraving by P. Galle, 1563.
  • Three means to gain God's mercy: fasting, prayer and alms, which cause the heart of man to fly towards God. Engraving attributed to T. Galle, 1601.
  • Ages of man: third stage, from the age of thirty two to forty eight and the classical orders of architecture: ionic. Engraving by J. Wierix, 1577, after J. Vredeman de Vries.
  • An allegory of prayer. Etching by I.F.
  • John Ray, with a vignette of Britannia crowning Ray as the prince of English botanists. Stipple engraving by W. Holl, 1804, after T. Uwins and Mary Beale.
  • A female figure at an easel is helped by another with a compass; representing perspective and geometry in art. Coloured stipple engraving, 1786.
  • A naked man wearing grains in his hair is holding a bowl with grapes in his left and an empty sack in his right, he is surrounded by a money-filled cave and two vessels; representing the month July. Engraving.
  • Three officers in the City of London Corporation holding different types of sticks ("characteresticks"): Lord Mayor Crosby with a scourge for wheat-speculators; John Wilkes with a Herculean club for defeating corruption; and and a bull representing Frederick Bull, with the sheriff's staff of office. Engraving after S.L., 1772.