Godfried Schalcken – Allegory of Virtue and Riches Part 3 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a young woman engaged with a set of scales, positioned against a backdrop that suggests both interior and exterior space. The lighting is dramatic, characteristic of chiaroscuro, emphasizing her face and hands while plunging the surrounding areas into shadow. A strong light source originates from the left, highlighting the textures of her clothing – a rich brown outer garment over a white chemise with delicate lace detailing, and a vibrant blue undergarment visible at her lower torso.
Her gaze is directed downwards, focused intently on the scales she manipulates. The scales themselves are ornate, suggesting preciousness or significance beyond their practical function. One side holds what appears to be a small, gilded object – possibly a coin or jewel – while the other remains empty. Her fingers delicately adjust the mechanism, conveying an air of careful consideration and perhaps even manipulation.
To her left, partially obscured in shadow, is a sculpted figure of a child, seemingly emerging from a stone plinth. This figure’s presence introduces a layer of symbolic complexity; it could represent innocence, potential, or perhaps a lost ideal. The landscape visible through an unseen window behind the woman offers a contrasting element – a tranquil vista with rolling hills and trees bathed in warm light. This idyllic scene stands in stark contrast to the immediate foreground, creating a sense of distance between the woman’s actions and a broader, more harmonious world.
The overall effect is one of moral deliberation. The scales clearly symbolize justice or balance, but the act of weighing something precious against emptiness implies a choice being made – a consideration of value beyond mere monetary worth. The womans expression is difficult to read; it suggests neither joy nor sorrow, but rather a quiet intensity and perhaps even a hint of melancholy. It’s possible that she is evaluating virtue against wealth, or assessing the relative importance of different aspects of life. The juxtaposition of the sculpted child and the distant landscape further reinforces this sense of weighing intangible qualities – innocence versus experience, potential versus reality.