Famine (Fames), no. 4 in a set of 4 allegorical figures
Etienne Delaune French
Not on view
Engraving with an allegorical figure of Famine, last in a set of four, representing peace, abundance, war, and famine. The print represents an old, naked woman, sitting in front of a dead tree, evoking the idea of sterility, and presenting a contrast with the figure of Abundance in this set. She holds a branch in her right hand and, using her left hand, she holds another branch next to her mouth. To her right side is a plate containing the last pieces of a child's body, cut into pieces. At her feet is a dead body, the skin having decomposed to reveal the skeleton in it and, on the right, two dogs, possibly symbolizing envy or a hint of hope. Death, natural consequence of war and famine, appears in a cloud on the upper part of the print, and blows a wind over this scene of desolation.
