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Description: | The Bocca della Verita' is an ancient drain-cover in Rome carved into a moon-like face with a slot through the mouth. Legend has it that the mouth will bite off the hand of anyone guilty of lying who dares to place their hand inside. The idea has been adapted for this eighteenth-century Roman cabinet-painting, depicting a young woman about to prove her honesty. The artist has captured the moment of suspense as all eyes, even the stone ones of the sculpted figures above the mask, are fixed on the girl who places her hand in the gaping mouth. Whether she goes willingly or by force is not clear. | Subjects: | allegory | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Rocca, Michele (Italian painter, ca. 1670 - ca. 1751) Æ Previously attributed to Cortona, Pietro da (Italian draftsman and painter, 1596-1669) | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8663... | Go to resource |
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