Moral Emblems: The Sun's Chariot
Engraved by Etienne Delaune French
Designed by Jean Delaune French
Not on view
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 a landscape with the Sun's chariot flying over it, driven by Apollo, and pulled by four horses. On the upper right corner are the moon and stars. Although it is likely that this print had an allegorical meaning understandable for the viewers of its time, its meaning has become obscure to us. Since none of the elements of the picture seem to suggest a moralizing message, it is also possible that the print is only a representation of the route of the sun on the sky.
