Deugd en Kwaadaardigheid 1607

"Deugd en Kwaadaardigheid," or "Virtue and Evil," is an engraving by Willem van Swanenburg. Though undated, we know Swanenburg was active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a time of significant religious and philosophical debate in Europe. The print stages a face-off between allegorical figures of virtue and evil. These figures flank a title cartouche for Aristotle’s "Nicomachean Ethics." The female figure on the left, labeled "Areth," embodies virtue, while the bestial male figure on the right, labeled "Kakia," represents evil. It’s intriguing that virtue is depicted as a fully formed, clothed woman, while evil is portrayed as a half-human, half-animal male. These depictions reflect the gendered biases of the period, with virtue often associated with feminine ideals of purity and morality, and evil linked to masculine notions of the carnal and untamed. As you consider this print, ask yourself how these allegories shape and reflect societal values. What emotions do the artist's choices evoke in you?