Albrecht Dürer did this engraving, in 1514, which is hinted to us in one of the objects. Melancholy surrounded by the instruments of his temperament.That was almost 500 years ago. Most of the objects are familiar to us because we still use them to this day. But some of the objects are simply baffling as to what they could be or could have been used for.
Magic square: Orderliness of numbers, each line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) adds up to 34. Thought to be a talisman to attract Jupiter. The god who could heal the effects of Saturn.
Figure of Melancholy: `Melancholic´ is one of the four humors but, sure, It was the least desirable humor because it was responsible for depression, apathy, and even insanity.
The advantage of being melancholic, however, was that this humor tended to be associated with the most creative and intelligent individuals. It was believed that carpenters, mathematicians, artists, and grammarians all tended to be melancholic.
See the wreath (in hair): Made from a plant which was believed to be a cure for excessive melancholy
And Putto with notebook: Grammarian,
The winged Putto beside her is a 'genius' - in the ancient sense, meaning an accompanying spirit.
Melancholy has wings and from her belt hang keys and a money bag, symbolizing power and wealth.
You see dark temperament is personified by a female figure seated in the foreground. She is surrounded by measuring instruments. Yet she does nothing: lost in thought, she turns away from the light.
And moreover.
Keys as Power
Purse as Wealth
Bell by means Eternity
Hourglass as Transience of life
But then: Magic square: Orderliness of numbers, each line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) adds up to 34. Thought to be a talisman to attract Jupiter (The god who could heal the effects of Saturn)
Dog as Truth and loyalty.
This study is better than a new American diagnosis-classification which is made of melancholy.
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