The One to Whom Fortune Is Playing Will Dance Merrily from Six Sayings about Fortune 1555 - 1565

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert made this engraving, entitled *The One to Whom Fortune Is Playing Will Dance Merrily,* in the late 16th century. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds the ink. The degree of precision achieved here is remarkable. Look closely at the lines, which vary in thickness and density to create tonal effects. This would have required immense skill and patience. The image is not spontaneously drawn; it is built up line by line. Each mark had to be carefully considered to create a sense of depth, texture, and form. Given the time it would have taken, this print was clearly conceived as a luxury object, not disposable ephemera. Its subject matter - the fickleness of fortune – reflects the interests of a cultivated, elite audience. While this print is not unique, it stands as a testament to the engraver’s meticulous craft. By understanding the labor and skill involved, we can fully appreciate the artistry on display.