Who painted The Seven Virtues?

The Seven Virtues was painted by Jacob Matham in 1588.

Where can I see The Seven Virtues?

The Seven Virtues is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Seven Virtues?

The Seven Virtues is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Seven Virtues

Jacob Matham , 1588

The Seven Virtues is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jacob Matham. It dates from 1588 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacob Matham’s 1588 engraving titled *The Seven Virtues* presents a group of seven allegorical figures set against a craggy terrain.

Jacob Matham’s 1588 engraving titled *The Seven Virtues* presents a group of seven allegorical figures set against a craggy terrain. The composition is anchored by a central female figure cradling a child, while the surrounding characters hold objects such as a spear, a pair of scales and a cup. The work is executed on laid paper, employing the precise line work characteristic of early modern printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The seven individuals are not portraiture but personifications of moral qualities traditionally identified as virtues. The central mother-and-child motif suggests Charity, while the spear, scales, and cup correspond to Fortitude, Justice, and Temperance respectively. The inclusion of both clothed and partially nude bodies underscores the abstract nature of the concepts, inviting viewers to contemplate ethical ideals rather than specific narratives.

Technique & Style

Matham achieved the intricate surface texture through dense cross‑hatching, a method of overlapping fine lines that creates nuanced shadows and depth. The engraving’s crisp contours delineate the rocky backdrop, the foliage of a solitary tree, and distant architectural forms. This meticulous line work reflects the Northern European print tradition of the late sixteenth century, where detail and tonal variation were rendered without the use of color.

History & Provenance

Created in the late Renaissance, the print was produced in the Netherlands during Matham’s active period as an engraver and publisher. While the original commission details remain unclear, the work circulated among collectors of allegorical prints, contributing to the broader dissemination of moral iconography in the period. Surviving impressions are held in several European museum collections, attesting to its continued scholarly interest.