Choosing Virtue, from The Course of Human Life 1570

This engraving, made by Pieter Jalhea Furnius in the late 16th century, visualizes a moral choice. Here, a young man on horseback is faced with two paths: one of earthly pleasures and the other of virtue. This image, made in Flanders, draws upon the region's rich tradition of moralizing art, often commissioned by religious or civic institutions seeking to instill values in its citizens. The choice between virtue and vice was a common theme and here, Furnius uses classical allegory. The figure of Virtue is shown guiding the horse, while figures of earthly pleasure pull in the other direction. A hag in the foreground shoots arrows of temptation towards the young man. The composition cleverly contrasts the dark, chaotic path of vice with the serene, ordered path of virtue. To fully appreciate this work, we can research the social and religious climate of the 16th-century Flanders. By exploring historical texts, sermons, and other visual art from the period, we can understand how Furnius’ work reflects the values and anxieties of his time.