Temperantia-schotel van tin 1585 - 1590

François Briot crafted this tin plate, titled "Temperantia," where classical allegories dance across its surface, embodying the virtue of temperance. Central is Temperantia herself, calmly mixing water and wine, a symbol of moderation echoing through the ages, from ancient Greek symposiums to Renaissance courts. Surrounding her, scenes of classical mythology—Diana the huntress, Jupiter with his eagle—weave a narrative tapestry of restraint and balance. Consider the figure of Diana, a Roman goddess who is connected with wild animals and woodland and hunting. We can see how this image has transformed over time; from the powerful statues of antiquity to her reemergence in later Renaissance paintings. The symbols have reappeared in modern cinema, a testament to the endurance of these powerful archetypes in our collective psyche. These images touch something primal within us; a call for balance amidst chaos. Just as in ancient rituals, this plate serves as a potent reminder of humanity’s timeless quest for equilibrium. It is a testament to how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.