Temperance, Charity, and Them Other Moral Platitudes - The Seven Heavenly Virtues in Art

Explore the eternal conflict between good and evil through art in this museum lecture examining how artists from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance visualized the Seven Heavenly Virtues and their opposing Vices. Discover how sculpture, painting, and prints served as vehicles for depicting abstract moral concepts, revealing Western civilization's long-standing engagement with cosmic strife between virtue and vice. Learn about the artistic personifications of these timeless themes across various media, from religious artworks to public monuments, and examine four specific Parisian landmarks—two churches, a palace, and a fountain—that embody this enduring moral struggle. Gain insights into how these artistic representations reflect humanity's perpetual grappling with questions of morality and spiritual conflict throughout history, presented through richly illustrated examples spanning centuries of European art.