Temperance (Die Mesikait), from The Seven Virtues

Art Historical Context

Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531), a leading figure in the German Renaissance and a master of Augsburg printmaking, created *Temperance (Die Mesait)* as part of his series *The Seven Virt*. This woodcut embodies the Christian moral ideal of temperance—moderation in all things—depicting a virtuous woman, a common allegorical motif in Northern European art. Produced around the early 16th century it reflects the era's fascination with didactic imagery, blending religious instruction with artistic innovation amid the spread of humanism and the Reformation. Printed in the third state of three (per Hollstein cataloguing), this intimate woodcut measures just 6 13/16 × 3 1/4 inches, showcasing Burgkmair's skill in fine-line carving on wood blocks for relief printing. Woodcuts like this were revolutionary for their affordability and reproducibility, allowing virtues to reach a wide audience beyond elite patrons. Burgkmair's precise, expressive style, influenced by contemporaries like Albrecht Dürer, captures intricate details in the figure's flowing robes and symbolic attributes, making moral lessons visually compelling. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Henry Walters, 1931), this print highlights the cultural role of women as embodiments of virtue in Renaissance iconography. A testament to early mass-produced art, it invites us to reflect on timeless calls for balance in an indulgent world.

About the Artist

Hans Burgkmair · 1473–1531

Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531) was a German painter and printmaker who became one of the leading artists of the Renaissance in Augsburg. Born into a family of painters — his father, Thoman Burgkmair, was a respected artist — he likely received his initial training in his father's workshop. He may also have studied with Martin Schongauer in Colmar, and a probable visit to Italy around 1507 ex...