ADRIAEN VAN NIEULANDT | The Battle of Virtue Against the Vices

Nieulandt worked in Amsterdam, where he was for a while the leading history painter, and no record exists of his having travelled abroad. He was heavily influenced by the Pre-Rembrandtist artists, such as Pieter Lastman and Claes Moeyaert. This painting, probably a commissioned work, is typical of his later artistic output, when he focused on populous biblical and mythological subjects. The three Theological Virtues – Faith, Hope and Charity – and the four Cardinal Virtues – Wisdom, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance – are situated behind the heroic figure – an amalgamation of the Christian warrior and Saint Michael – who repels the assault of the Vices below.