Patience, from "Virtues and Vices" 1549

"Patience," a 1549 engraving by German Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever, depicts a female figure personifying the virtue of patience. The image, part of Aldegrever's "Virtues and Vices" series, is characterized by its detailed and expressive lines. Patience stands with her hands clasped, calmly facing a fiery wheel, symbolizing the trials she endures. The lamb at her side represents her gentle nature, while the inscription "Patientia" (Patience) above her head confirms the subject of the artwork. This print exemplifies the enduring interest in allegorical figures during the Renaissance, highlighting both moral and artistic themes.