Time Bearing the Truth above the Reach of Envy and Slander - Gérard Audran

A 1676 engraving by Gérard Audran after Nicolas Poussin, depicting the allegorical rescue of Truth from Envy and Slander.

This engraving by Gérard Audran, completed in 1676, reproduces the allegorical composition originally conceived by Nicolas Poussin. The work depicts the figure of Time, represented as a winged man, lifting Truth into the heavens. This action serves to rescue Truth from the grasp of Envy and Slander, who are positioned below in the clouds. Envy is characterised by the serpents entwined in her hair, while Slander holds a dagger, representing the malice directed toward the virtuous figure of Truth.

Audran, a master of the burin, demonstrates technical precision in his translation of Poussin's painting into the medium of print. The circular frame, or tondo, creates a sense of celestial enclosure, focusing the viewer on the upward movement of the central figures. The contrast between the light, ethereal upper register and the darker, more turbulent lower section reinforces the narrative of triumph over malevolence. The inclusion of a putto carrying a wreath adds a classical element to the scene, consistent with the academic standards of the French seventeenth century.

This print was dedicated to Charles Perrault, who served as the Controller General of the King's Buildings, Gardens, Arts, and Manufactures. The inscription at the base of the print acknowledges this patronage, reflecting the close relationship between the arts and the French state during the reign of Louis XIV. The composition remains a clear example of the didactic nature of Baroque allegory, where complex moral narratives were translated into visual form for the education and edification of the courtly audience. The fine lines and cross-hatching techniques employed by Audran allow for a subtle range of tonal values, capturing the weight of the figures and the softness of the clouds with equal clarity.