Prudentia 1620 - 1692

Pietro del Po created this engraving titled 'Prudentia', where we see Prudence, the embodiment of wise foresight, amidst a flurry of symbolic activity. Prudence is assisted by putti, holding a mirror and snake, and has Father Time below her. The mirror, held aloft by a cherubic figure, is no mere vanity; it reflects truth and allows one to see clearly. The snake, often associated with deceit, here suggests wisdom, echoing the ancient symbol of the ouroboros – the snake eating its own tail, representing cyclical time and introspection. Consider how these symbols recur across centuries. The snake, for instance, appears coiled around the staff of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, a symbol of healing and knowledge. The hourglass held by Father Time at the bottom shows that every decision should be made with consideration for time. These aren't just allegorical props; they are vessels carrying centuries of collective memory, evolving yet rooted in primal human understanding.