An Allegory of Man | TateShots

Uncover the symbolism hidden in this 400-year-old artwork, painted by an unknown artist, on display at Tate Britain. Like most religious paintings, ’An Allegory of Man’ is packed with hidden meanings. Extremely few British paintings of religious subjects have survived from the 16th century. After the Reformation, Protestant unease about images meant it would have been highly controversial to display either religious paintings. The inscription at the bottom, in English, warns against the evil of worldly v