Artwork

Prudence (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #35)

Prudence (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #35) is a print by the Renaissance artist Master of the E-Series Tarocchi. It dates from 1467 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 15th‑century Italian engraving belongs to the “B” group of the Tarocchi series, which illustrates cosmic principles alongside Christian virtues. The plate depicts the cardinal virtue of Prudence, presented as a full‑length female figure accompanied by symbolic elements that convey the virtue’s intellectual dimensions.

Subject & Meaning

Prudence is shown as a woman crowned and robed, holding a mirror in one hand and a serpent in the other. A bearded male profile appears on the back of her head, while a cupid supports the mirror’s pedestal. The dual profiles signify awareness of past, present and future, and the mirror denotes self‑knowledge, a key aspect of prudent judgment.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in engraving, employing fine line work to render the intricate details of the figure’s attire, the reflective surface of the mirror, and the coiled serpent. The composition balances vertical symmetry with the juxtaposition of human and allegorical forms, characteristic of late‑medieval Italian printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a tarot‑like instructional set, the plate was intended to educate viewers on Christian moral principles. The series circulated among learned circles in Renaissance Italy, and examples of the Tarocchi cards have entered museum collections, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, where works by the Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi are displayed.

Context

In the medieval hierarchy of virtues, the four cardinal virtues—Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice—were considered essential for a virtuous Christian life. The Tarocchi series pairs these with theological virtues and universal principles, reflecting contemporary efforts to integrate moral instruction with visual art.