Temperance, one of the four Cardinal Virtues, holds a bridle and a clock and stands beside an elephant. Sobriety holds a key and rests her foot on a dolphin. Meekness (?) receives flowers. The figures at the bottom of the composition represent Sloth, Envy and Hunger. In the sky above are Voluptuousness, Youth and Tranquillity.
This painting is one of a group of 10 modelli, or elaborated oil studies, made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano created for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence. This painting is connected with the ceiling of the Galleria.
Key facts
Artist
Artist dates
1634 - 1705
Full title
Allegory of Temperance
Date made
early 1680s
Medium and support
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
97 x 101.3 cm
Acquisition credit
Presented by the Trustees of Sir Denis Mahon's Charitable Trust through the Art Fund, 2013
Inventory number
NG6635
Location in Gallery
Other paintings in the group: Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Minerva as Protectress of the Arts and Sciences
from
Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
Painting
Mythological Scene with the Rape of Proserpine
from
Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
Luca Giordano
early 1680s
