The Five Senses is a comparatively complex painting.
Each of the five senses is represented by a figure holding an appropriate attribute. Other details allude to the transience of life.
By careful study, its meaning can be interpreted fairly easily.
The artist was much influenced by contemporary French and Italian art. And he was himself an influential writer on art.
This painting stands somewhat apart from others in the gallery because of its style and its subject matter. However, it is one of the most intriguing and complex paintings in the collection, and so deserves special attention.