Allegory of Temperance
- Artist: Luca Giordano
- Date: early 1680s
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Allegory of Temperance" painted in the Italian north by Luca Giordano. Made in preparation for the ceiling frescoes in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, it's one of ten modelli that are part of this collection. It represents one of the four Cardinal Virtues, which were first identified by the philosopher Plato and later adopted by the Roman Catholic Church.
The central figure is Temperance, shown as a young woman wearing an armoured breastplate and leaning on an elephant, then regarded as strong but cautious animals. She's holding a bridle to indicate restraint and a clock to show patience. Beside her stands Sobriety, who holds a key - also the emblem of the Riccardi family.
Together they're shown triumphing over three cowering hags who represent the effects of intemperance: Sloth, Envy, and Hunger. The figures flying above the scene are harder to interpret, but we see Youth carrying an incense vessel and a ring in the form of a serpent biting its tail, as well as Voluptuousness holding a winged sphere and fish hooks.
This painting was made around 1682-85 and is one of the early works by Giordano. It's painted in oil on canvas and showcases his skill in creating allegorical scenes that convey powerful messages about virtue and moderation.
See it in person
Allegory of Temperance hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
