Jun 8
Incostanza. An Allegory of Fickleness (c. 1617), by Abraham Janssens I (Flemish, 1575 – 1632), 1,275 mm (50.1 in) x 1,054 mm (41.4 in), Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
#Incostanza. An Allegory of Fickleness#Abraham Janssens#Abraham Janssens I#painting#my upload#oil on canvas#art#the painting explores the 17th-century fascination with human inconsistency specifically regarding unpredictable passions#volatile love and fleeting earthly temptations#The Sleeping Woman: The central figure with exposed breasts and a drowsy expression represents fickle passion#Her calm exterior hides the volatile shifting nature of desire#The Lobster: She is shown casually pinching the claw of a lobster#In Renaissance and Baroque iconography the lobster symbolizes aggressive sexuality territorial behavior#and temptation#Turned Tables: By having the woman play with the aggressive lobster Janssens inverts power dynamics#This implies that her nonchalance or changing moods hold the power to manipulate these dangerous desires at will
