Waarschuwing tegen overspel en geslachtsziekte 1588 - 1595

This print, “Warning Against Adultery and Venereal Disease,” was made by Johann Sadeler I, a Flemish engraver who lived around 1600. It presents us with a moralizing allegory, a visual sermon against lust and infidelity. Sadeler’s image creates meaning through a variety of visual and cultural codes. The elegant musician on the left, juxtaposed with the statue of Venus, signifies earthly love. In contrast, the old, bearded man warns against the dangers of temptation, gesturing to the consequences shown on the right. The man drinking from a muddy puddle represents the dangers of venereal disease. Prints like these circulated widely in early modern Europe, serving as a form of social commentary and moral instruction. They were often commissioned by religious institutions or wealthy patrons seeking to reinforce social norms. Sadeler's print reflects the anxieties of his time, when the rise of cities and the increasing mobility of people led to concerns about moral decay. Art historians use prints like these to better understand the social and institutional contexts that shape artistic production.