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Melancolicus, an engraving by the German artist Virgilius Solis the Elder (1514–1562), is part of a series of works depicting the four humors as young women. The scene presents the earth element that was associated with melancholy. The image depicts a young woman drawing while seated on a stone bench. Those with an excess of black bile were considered melancholic. Such people were also thought to be vigilant, jealous, and sad. The modern description of a person as depressive or “melancholy” comes from this ancient medical theory.

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