Cleveland Museum of Art

Temperance (from the Tarocchi, Series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #34)

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

Date

before 1467

Medium

engraving, hand-colored with gold

Culture

Italy, Ferrara, 15th century

Department

Prints

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This engraving is part of the group marked with the letter B , and named Cosmic Principles and the Virtues , comprising the three universal principles (Light, Time, and Space) alongside the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity) and the four cardinal ones (Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice). The latter were regarded as the basic Christian principles required for a virtuous life. Here personified as a full-length female figure, Temperancia (Temperance) is about to pour the liquid contained in the pitcher she is holding with her left hand into another vessel held in her right hand. Next to her, on the left corner, is an ermine or a weasel, looking at his own reflection in a small round mirror. Desirable character traits, such as Temperance, seen here, were often portrayed as beautiful women in the medieval and early modern periods.

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