Mammon 1796 - 1802

M. W. Schmith created this print titled 'Mammon'. In this era, institutions like the church and state held significant power, and art often served as a tool for social commentary. The print depicts an old man engrossed in his book of accounts, with bags of money and coins scattered around him. The figure is a personification of avarice, the worship of wealth. The image critiques the growing obsession with wealth and materialism in 18th-century Europe. The inclusion of religious imagery, perverted here, highlights the hypocrisy of those who prioritize wealth over spiritual values. To truly understand this print, one must delve into the religious and economic history of 18th-century Europe. Examining sermons, political pamphlets, and economic treatises of the time can shed light on the social context in which it was created. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on its social and institutional context, and historical research can help us to fully understand it.