Fate of an Evil Tongue c. 1507

Nicoletto da Modena created this engraving, "Fate of an Evil Tongue," around the year 1500, rendered with precise lines and a detailed composition that draws us into a scene of allegorical justice. The composition is structured around a central stage where putti are hammering away at what seems to be a tongue, alluding to the inscription below, "LINGVA PRAVO RVM PERIBIT," or "The evil tongue will perish." The putti are arranged in a circular fashion, creating movement and energy. The architectural ruins and the distant landscape are meticulously detailed, providing a backdrop that enhances the allegorical narrative. The artist’s use of line is particularly striking; it defines form, creates texture, and adds depth to the composition. Through a semiotic lens, the act of hammering symbolizes the dismantling of destructive speech, reflecting a societal concern with the power and consequences of language. The formal structure of the print and the themes it presents invite us to contemplate the ethical dimensions of communication.