Temperance, From Cognition and the Seven Virtues, Plate 8, 1539
Sebald Behamexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Elizabeth, Julie, and Catherine Andrus in memory of John and Marion Andrusexpand_more 2015.93.135
Not on Viewexpand_more
Temperance is known by her two pitchers, which she uses to dilute wine with water. She personifies restraint or the middle way, as suggested by her position between a sphere and a cube. Saint Thomas Aquinas preached that the cardinal virtues (Temperance, Justice, Prudence, and Fortitude) were crucial to Christian salvation—a preoccupation of Protestant reformers. Temperance is sometimes paired with Lust, her opposite. In a strange way, the figure’s clinging dress and loose shoulder strap evoke the desires she urges people to keep in check.
Details
- Title
- Temperance, From Cognition and the Seven Virtues, Plate 8
- Artist Life
- 1500–1550
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.93.135
- Provenance
- D'Arenberg Collection, Lugt 567, Brussels and Nord-Kirchen. John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Pauli, Hollstein 138 apparently ii/iii (part of print seems to be missing); Bartsch 136 (vol. 8, p. 167)
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.