Temperance.

Engraving, 22,2 x 29 cm, laid paper, lettered "Temperentia" along allegorical figure's dress and "Bruegel" at lower right, Latin verse on two lines in lower margin (repaired tear and repaired lack lower left with some lines drawn in black ink).

Stuck by upper edge under passe-partout.

1st (of 2) state. One of the Seven Virtues: "Temperantia" stands in the centre foreground (clock on her head, bit in her mouth, eyeglasses in her hand, and the blade of a windmill below her foot). Around are the representatives of the Seven Liberal Arts, over whom she reigns. The drawing in Museum Boymans-Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, is signed and dated 1560.
Ref. New Hollstein (Galle), 315. - Lebeer (1969) 37. - BM 1868,0328.369.