Prudence

This drawing depicts the cardinal virtue of Prudence. The characters are taking different precautions and following the advice given by the Latin caption: "Who wishes to show that they are intelligent turns their attention to the future and takes into account everything that may happen". In the left foreground, women are salting meat, whilst men are storing sacks of provisions and firewood; pots of jams are arranged on the windowsill. Further away, men are renovating a run-down house. On the right, a women is prudently extinguishing the fire under a cauldron. Higher up, a sick man is lodging; next to him, a doctor is diagnosing him based on a urine test. The seated man may be a priest who is listening to his confession or a lawyer writing his final will and testament. In the middle of all these activities is Prudence, holding a mirror in her left hand, indicating self-awareness. On her head, a sieve helps distinguish Good from Evil, Truth from Lies. At her feet, emergency ladders are lying next to leather buckets to extinguish the fire, a fire hose and a grapple. (Stefaan Hautekeete in 'Musée d'Art Ancien. Oeuvres choisies' [Ancient Art Museum: Selected works])