Air (Melancholicus), from "The Four Temperaments" 1596 - 1597

Jacques de Gheyn II created this engraving titled "Air (Melancholicus), from "The Four Temperaments" in the Netherlands. The print allegorizes one of the four temperaments—melancholy, which was associated with the element of air. Here, the figure sits pensively atop a globe, surrounded by symbols linked to intellect and contemplation. The image reflects the early modern period's fascination with psychology and the human condition, blending classical learning with contemporary science. The artwork's dense symbolism invites us to consider how knowledge and introspection were valued and the role of learned institutions in shaping our understanding of ourselves. Was de Gheyn critiquing or celebrating melancholy? The answer depends on the social values assigned to different emotional states at that time. Art historians use period texts on medicine, philosophy, and astrology to understand the full meaning of prints like these. By reconstructing the context, we can better appreciate how the artwork participated in the intellectual debates of its time.