Flegmatisch 1600 - 1615

Hieronymus Lederer created this engraving titled ‘Flegmatisch’. The artwork presents a juxtaposition of land and sea, reflecting the historical context of exploration and the human relationship with the natural world. It speaks to identity through its representation of the ‘phlegmatic’ temperament, one of the four humors believed to influence human behavior. The figures, seemingly Adam and Eve, are depicted with a sensuality that challenges conventional interpretations of purity, especially when viewed through the lens of gender and power dynamics. The woman presents the fish with a knowing gaze, while the man sits passively. There’s a quiet tension, a moment of exchange that feels both innocent and laden with unspoken desires. This piece develops alternative narratives of creation and existence, inviting us to consider the emotional and psychological states that define us. It's a study in contrasts, a quiet rebellion against the strictures of its time, reminding us of the complexities of human nature.