Personificatie van Matigheid 1607

Karel van Mallery created this engraving of ‘Personification of Temperance’ sometime between 1571 and 1645. It presents a classical allegory of moderation, part of a series on the virtues. The image creates meaning through familiar visual codes. Temperance is shown as a woman, referencing classical goddesses of virtue. She holds a chalice, suggesting restraint in drink, while the fruit in her other hand represents a measured enjoyment of worldly pleasures. This iconography would have resonated with European audiences in the early modern period, a time of both religious and social upheaval. Made in the Netherlands, this print reflects the cultural values of the time, and perhaps also critiques the excesses of the era. The engraving may have served a didactic purpose, reinforcing social norms through the visual arts. To fully understand this artwork, we can consult emblem books, conduct research into the social history of the Netherlands, and examine the role of prints in disseminating moral ideas.