Moral Emblems: The Triumph of Virtue

Engraving, part of a set of 20 moral emblems, each designated by a letter of the alphabet. The set was designed by Jean Delaune and engraved by his father, Étienne Delaune, in 1580. It explores the theme of vanity in mundane things, denouncing the artifices of the world (beauty, pleasure, luxury...), and praising virtue. This print represents the triumph of virtue, who stands on the right, protecting herself with a shield of fire from the world, on the left, who is shooting an arrow towards her with his bow. The arms carried by the world (a sword and the bow and arrow) are symbols for the vanity of human things, while the lavishness of his dress, decorated with gemstones and tassels, likely represents the influence of luxury. The female figure in the print represents virtue, in general, with a variety of attributes of different virtues: a book, related to theology, religion, truth, and caution; an anchor, hidden behind her, associated with hope; the shield of fire, symbol of chastity, fortitude, victory and Minerva; and a snake, upon which she stands, attribute for caution, vigilance, and wisdom, which is itself related to sobriety and chastity. The snake might also represent eternity and perfection, two concepts that could be associated with virtue. The female figure representing virtue stands in front of a palm tree, emblem of moral victory, and a laurel, symbol of the "virtus insuperabile," and altogether ensure the triumph of virtue. Between the personifications of the world and Virtue is a peaceful village with people and animals working the fields, reinforcing the idea of the triumph of virtue.