Ratio, from Proposopographia 1580 - 1595

Philips Galle created this engraving, Ratio, from Proposopographia, sometime between 1537 and 1612. During this period, art often served to visually communicate moral and philosophical concepts. Galle uses the female form to represent the concept of 'Ratio,' or reason. The figure's semi-nudity contrasts with the tools she holds, a whip and bridle, symbolizing control over both physical and emotional impulses. The Latin inscription reinforces this, stating that just as a rod controls boys and reins control horses, reason governs human affections. Here, the artist presents a figure that embodies an intellectual ideal. The emotional impact of the work resides in this tension: a sensually rendered body tasked with the suppression of earthly desires. This engraving reflects a societal negotiation between the body and mind, inviting viewers to consider how we balance our own rationality and desires.