ALLORI, Alessandro
(b. 1535, Firenze, d. 1607, Firenze)

Allegory of the Christian Church

1600-10
Oil on canvas, 131 x 115 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

It is not easy matter to identify the beautiful, golden-haired Florentine woman wreathed with flowers like Flora or Spring as the Christian Church, or the boy with the languishing satiated look as Christ, betrothing himself to her and rejecting the Synagogue. In the interpretation of Allori, a late Mannerist, the pious subject acquired a strong character of courtly romance.