Moral Emblems: A Man Accumulating Wealth
Engraving, part of a set of 20 moral emblems, each designated by a letter of the alphabet. The set was designed by Jean Delaune and engraved by his father, Étienne Delaune, in 1580. It explores the theme of vanity in mundane things, denouncing the artifices of the world (beauty, pleasure, luxury...), and praising virtue. This print represents a sumptuous interior with a man sitting on a throne under a canopy on the center-left, surrounded by several characters that have come to pay tribute to the king. Two demons flying towards the man from the upper left corner of the print seem to be trying to take away the tributes brought by the visitors, likely symbolizing the ruin of the owner of the palace. This provides the print with an allegorical meaning against wealth, closely related to that of the print labelled "N" in the series.
Artwork Details
- Title: Moral Emblems: A Man Accumulating Wealth
- Engraver: Engraved by Etienne Delaune (French, Orléans 1518/19–1583 Strasbourg)
- Artist: Designed by Jean Delaune (French, 1559–?)
- Date: 1580
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 2 11/16 × 3 7/8 in. (6.8 × 9.8 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1947
- Object Number: 47.139.71
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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