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Man Born to Toil, from The Reward of Labour and Diligence, plate 1

Philips Galle Netherlandish
After Maarten van Heemskerck Netherlandish
1572
Not on view
A baby representing mankind suckles at one of Natura’s seven breasts. Suspended in her vicinity is a giant sphere to which are stuck all manner of tools, as if magnetized. In medieval schools of thought, work involving the manipulation of matter, including the production of "artificial forms"—in other words, art—had not enjoyed the same status as pursuits such as philosophy and theology. This image attests to the newfound prestige accorded to the professional class in Europe, who over the course of the sixteenth century successfully argued for the value of labor and the virtues of work in support of a meaningful existence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Man Born to Toil, from The Reward of Labour and Diligence, plate 1
  • Series/Portfolio: The Reward of Labour and Diligence
  • Artist: Philips Galle (Netherlandish, Haarlem 1537–1612 Antwerp)
  • Artist: After Maarten van Heemskerck (Netherlandish, Heemskerck 1498–1574 Haarlem)
  • Date: 1572
  • Medium: Engraving, second state of four (New Hollstein)
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 8 3/16 × 9 13/16 in. (20.8 × 25 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.95.2370(1)
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Fall of Babylon, Philips Galle Netherlandish, Engraving
The Fall of Babylon
Philips Galle
Maarten van Heemskerck
1569
Charity (Charitas) from The Virtues, Philips Galle Netherlandish, Engraving
Charity (Charitas) from The Virtues
Multiple artists/makers
1559
The Triumph of Time, Philips Galle Netherlandish, Engraving; first state of four
The Triumph of Time
Multiple artists/makers
1574
Septem urbis ecclesiae primariae
Philips Galle
n.d.
Adam and Eve, from The Power of Women
Philips Galle
Adriaan Jonghe
ca. 1569

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