Temperance
European Art

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Temperance
Artwork Details
Artist/Maker
Vittore Carpaccio
Italian, 1460–1526
Italian, 1460–1526
Date
ca. 1525
Medium
Oil on wood panel
Accession #
58.35
Dimensions
Please contact the Museum for more information.
Location
Description
This allegorical representation of Temperance is probably part of a quartet of panels illustrating the four Cardinal Virtues—the other three being Prudence, Justice, and Fortitude. Since the Middle Ages women have personified the Virtues and remain easily identifiable by attributes. Here Temperance carefully pours liquid from one vessel into another, presumably diluting wine with water to suggest moderation.