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Lot Essay
This scene appears to depict the Triumph of Temperance, one of the four cardinal virtues, over Fame. A human figure representing the abstract concept of virtue or vice was a well known concept in classical antiquity and was used by the early Church to teach moral lessons. The Christian virtues of the middle ages consisted of three 'Theological Virtues', Faith, Hope and Charity, and four 'Cardinal Virtues', Justice, Prudence, Fortitude and Temperance. Plato described the latter four as the virtues needed by the citizens of an ideal city-state.
In the Renaissance period artists made use of Roman heroes and heroines to personify moral qualities. In this example Temperance is pushing away Fame with Solomon and his attributes, while Tiberius and his wife Juliana observe. Temperance holding a clock symbolised a well balanced life but also abstinence from liquor and sexual moderation. The figure of Jester, companion of Cupid and symbolising Love and Folly, is observing the allegorical love-feast taking place behind the main scene, opposing Temperance wielding her power in the foreground.
A tapestry with closely related borders and treatment of space, depicting The Meeting of Pelops and Hippodamia, was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 December 1988, lot 229, and a further example depicting Virtues and Vices, including the three Virgins and Salome, was sold as the consecutive lot 230.
In the Renaissance period artists made use of Roman heroes and heroines to personify moral qualities. In this example Temperance is pushing away Fame with Solomon and his attributes, while Tiberius and his wife Juliana observe. Temperance holding a clock symbolised a well balanced life but also abstinence from liquor and sexual moderation. The figure of Jester, companion of Cupid and symbolising Love and Folly, is observing the allegorical love-feast taking place behind the main scene, opposing Temperance wielding her power in the foreground.
A tapestry with closely related borders and treatment of space, depicting The Meeting of Pelops and Hippodamia, was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 December 1988, lot 229, and a further example depicting Virtues and Vices, including the three Virgins and Salome, was sold as the consecutive lot 230.