Flegmatisch temperament 1549 - 1591

This is an anonymous print, titled "Phlegmatic Temperament." It’s an early example of what we now call printmaking, probably made with an engraving. The image is carefully carved into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin, and then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see all those tiny parallel lines that create the image. Think about the labor involved to create that level of detail, and how the print could then be reproduced many times over. This was revolutionary. The print’s symbolism reflects a hierarchical view of human nature, linking temperament to the classical elements. This one, phlegmatic, is associated with water, hence the large flask. Notice how the figure seems to have been literally born out of the animal below, in close alignment with it. Looking at this print, it’s important to understand the artist's process, the materials they used, and how these choices create meaning. It encourages us to think more broadly about the role of craft, design, and materiality.