Gematigdheid overwint Gulzigheid 1550 - 1625

Curator: Here we have Pieter Jalhea Furnius's print, "Gematigdheid overwint Gulzigheid", which translates to "Temperance Overcomes Gluttony." It’s estimated to have been created sometime between 1550 and 1625. Editor: My first impression is how this piece embodies a sort of restrained chaos. There's a clear composition but the density of lines creates an intense visual texture. Curator: The method employed, engraving, speaks volumes. Each deliberate stroke contributes to not only the overall form, but to the very palpable sense of labor inherent in its creation. Considering the time, printing served a vital socio-political role in circulating moral lessons. Editor: Yes, and formal elements really reinforce this. The central figure embodies 'temperance' – her calm pose, contrasted with the figure below overwhelmed by gluttony – all brought forth through skillful use of line and light. See how the engraver uses hatching to sculpt the forms and create depth? Curator: We see how this object was designed for consumption in both a literal and figurative way, reflecting contemporary class dynamics and notions of virtue through its accessible medium. What sort of patron would be purchasing these, and how would these beliefs filter to other artisans? Editor: Absolutely, but it's also worthwhile to examine the balance between the figures, the contrasting textures created through the lines. Note the figure representing Temperance; there’s an elegance achieved through the lines, creating both depth and contour. This, coupled with Baroque artistic conventions, creates a harmonious visual interplay that lends itself to symbolic interpretation. Curator: Looking beyond aesthetics, one cannot divorce such objects from their conditions of creation and how their symbolism functions within societal structures and historical power dynamics. The engraver makes clear social commentary about acceptable standards of consumption in that moment. Editor: I agree there is definitely that element, but it's this confluence of visuality and symbolism through its formal components that still strikes me first. It remains incredibly evocative. Curator: For me, considering how art, at its essence, remains tied to both the material realities of production as well as larger social forces feels essential. Editor: And yet, by studying closely its internal artistic devices, a rewarding depth can emerge.