Temperance

A woman in voluminous, draped garments stands in profile, carefully mixing wine with water to represent moderation and self-control. Above her, two emblems display a stack of books and a horse's bridle, symbolizing the intellectual and physical restraint required of the virtuous soul. The engraving features the swelling and tapering lines characteristic of the Haarlem Mannerist style.

Temperance was considered a fundamental virtue in the Western tradition, essential for the Neoplatonic 'ascent' of the soul as it requires the suppression of base appetites. It reflects the humanist belief that the cultivation of internal harmony is a necessary step toward understanding the natural and divine order.