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"Allegory of the Air," created for the Four Elements series (Allegory of the Earth and Allegory of the Water are owned by the National Gallery in Prague), is an exceptional work that showcases all of the painterly talents of leading artist Jan Jakub Hartmann. The color gradation from the surface is characteristic, enhancing the deep airy distances, from the edge of the forest with a view to the distant landscape with architecture. In the forest there is also a view of a forest path, with a backdrop of trees to the left. The painting is remarkable for its meticulously detailed vegetation, brought to life by a total of 57 figures; the woman in blue on a white horse and an eagle on her arm particularly stands out. A number of killed birds of all types lie in piles, while a few live ones still circle in the sky. This is an excellent example of Baroque landscape painting by an artist who was certainly influenced by older Netherlandish art, likely from the collections of Rudolf II. Because Hartmann's paintings have always been highly valued, they were primarily found in aristocratic and monastery picture galleries. Expert assessment: PhDr. Hana Seifertová.