Zeven deugden en zeven ondeugden

About this artwork

height 258 mm x width 195 mm

Art Historical Context

**Zeven deugden en ondeugden** Pieter Jalhea Furnius, ca. 1550–1625* Engraving, 258 × 195 mm Step into the moral universe of 16th-century Europe with Pieter Jalhea Furnius's engraving *Zeven deugden en zeven ondeugden* ("Seven Virtues and Vices"). This compelling work contrasts the cardinal and theological virtues—such as Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance—with their sinful counterparts like Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust. Such allegorical pairings were a staple of Renaissance art, drawing from medieval Christian theology to guide viewers toward ethical living amid the religious upheavals of the Reformation era. Crafted as an engraving, this intimate sheet (just 258 mm high by 195 mm wide) showcases Furnius's mastery of the burin, a sharp tool used to incise fine lines into a metal plate for inked printing. This technique revolutionized image dissemination in the 1500s, making complex moral lessons accessible to a broad audience beyond the elite—perfect for homes, churches, or study rooms. Furnius, active during the transition from Renaissance to early Baroque, contributed to the vibrant Dutch and Flemish print tradition, where engravings served as affordable "visual sermons." Today, this piece reminds us of art's timeless role in shaping character. Imagine it pinned to a collector's wall, sparking debates on virtue versus vice—its precise lines still whispering lessons from over four centuries ago.

About the Artist

Pieter Jalhea Furnius · 1530–1615

Pieter Jalhea Furnius (1530–1615, though some sources suggest 1545–1610) was a Flemish engraver and draughtsman who worked during the height of Antwerp Mannerism, creating engravings that disseminated the works of prominent Northern European artists throughout Europe. Trained under the renowned painter Lambert Lombard in Liège, Furnius established himself in Antwerp, the commercial and artistic ca...