Luca Giordano – Allegory of Temperance Part 6 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a complex interplay of figures arranged across distinct registers, suggesting hierarchical relationships and symbolic narratives. The upper portion is dominated by a celestial realm populated with female figures – likely personifications – suspended amidst swirling clouds. These beings are draped in flowing fabrics, their poses conveying grace and authority. One holds aloft an ornate vessel, while another gestures downwards with what appears to be a chain or cord. Two cherubic figures flank the central group, one scattering flowers, the other seemingly engaged in playful interaction. The overall effect is one of divine intervention or blessing descending upon the earthly scene below.
Below this elevated space, a more turbulent and grounded landscape unfolds. A woman, centrally positioned and radiating light, sits atop an elephant – a potent symbol of strength, memory, and sometimes, excess. She wears a vibrant red garment and raises her arm in what could be interpreted as either a gesture of command or restraint. Surrounding her are several male figures exhibiting varying degrees of struggle and submission. One man appears to be wrestling with the elephants trunk, while another lies prostrate on the ground, seemingly defeated. A fourth figure sits passively amidst foliage, his posture suggesting resignation or despair.
The presence of a fountain near the standing woman introduces an element of purification or renewal. The figures’ expressions and postures suggest a narrative concerning control over base desires – a visual representation of temperance. The elephant, as a symbol of powerful instincts, is being managed by the central figure, while those around her are either succumbing to their impulses or attempting to restrain them.
The color palette reinforces this thematic structure. The upper register utilizes lighter hues and ethereal tones, contrasting with the darker, earthier colors that define the lower scene. This contrast emphasizes the separation between the divine realm of reason and the earthly domain of passion. The artist’s use of dramatic lighting further accentuates key figures and moments within the composition, drawing attention to the central allegory of temperance and its implications for human behavior.