Allegory Of Truth

This painting, dating from the late 16th to early 17th century and of Lombard origin, depicts a young figure with a delicate face and curly blond hair. The youth is dressed in an elegant reddish-pink garment with “slashed” sleeves—the decorative cuts that reveal the fabric underneath—very fashionable during the Renaissance. He wears a dark cap and holds a mirror reflecting his own face. The painting represents Truth, portrayed as a young person with a pure and luminous appearance. The mirror he holds symbolizes the ability of truth to reveal itself without veils and to reflect the world as it really is. The young figure’s gaze, directed toward the viewer, suggests sincerity and revelation. The light illuminating his face enhances the contrast with the dark background, evoking the idea of truth emerging from the shadow of ignorance. The rich and vibrant clothing underscores his symbolic and moral significance.