The Triumph of Chastity on Love, from the Triumphs of Petrarch 1529 - 1549

Georg Pencz rendered this engraving, “The Triumph of Chastity on Love” sometime between 1500 and 1550. Here, we see the allegorical figure of Chastity seated triumphantly on a cart, drawn by unicorns, symbols of purity and grace. Chastity’s victory suggests a symbolic cleansing, recalling images of mythical cleansings of temples, as well as medieval morality plays. The procession is framed by architectural elements that speak to the classical revival of the Renaissance, drawing on visual tropes of the ancient world. Consider the unicorn, here tamed and harnessed. The unicorn, across centuries and cultures, has appeared as a symbol of innocence, healing, and, paradoxically, potent virility. Its horn, often depicted as spiraling, channels both spiritual ascent and phallic power. In the collective psyche, this creature embodies untamed nature brought under virtuous control, reflecting the ongoing human drama of instinct versus reason. Its repeated re-emergence speaks to our enduring fascination with the power of purity and the sublimation of earthly desires.