Temperancia (Temperance)

Temperancia (Temperance)

Lucas van Leyden

1530

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a barefoot woman holding a bowl, standing on a draped platform. Behind her, a winged figure balances a stack of plates on its head. The woman’s hair is loose, and she holds a small bird in one hand. The scene looks like a stage with columns and steps, but it’s all drawn in sharp lines. The word *Temperancia* (Spanish for "Temperance") is written at the bottom, hinting this isn’t just a portrait but a symbol. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, even though it’s black and white. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved intricate details into metal plates.

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