Personification and Allegory

Personification and allegory

An allegory is a concrete representation of an abstract idea or concept. It usually features a complex combination of human and animal figures, objects and actions. An allegory often contains one or more 'personifications' - representations of (usually abstract) concepts in the form of a person. One of the seven virtues, for example, is personified by Dame Justice. Personifications are often depicted by stationary figures, while allegories usually feature some form of action or activity. Allegories and personifications were popular in all forms of art, from classical antiquity to the late nineteenth century and were employed to represent a wealth of different concepts.