Matigheid omringd door de overige deugden 1731

Frederik Ottens created this print, “Temperance Surrounded by Other Virtues,” sometime between 1675 and 1775. Its composition and structure are classically inspired, employing symmetry and a hierarchy of figures to convey its message. At the center, Temperance is enthroned, flanked by other allegorical figures representing virtues, bathed in divine light. Note the contrast between the active virtues on the left, pouring liquids into a vessel, and the more passive, contemplative figures on the right. This creates a dynamic balance within the composition. Ottens uses the contrast between light and shadow to model the forms, giving them a sculptural presence that enhances the artwork’s didactic purpose. The print, teeming with symbols such as snakes, books and an anchor, presents a semiotic system where each element carries layers of meaning. This dense assembly of symbols and figures invites us to delve into the philosophical ideas about morality and virtue prevalent during Ottens’ time, demonstrating how form serves as a vehicle for conveying complex ideas and challenging us to decode its intricate layers of meaning.