Hebzucht probeert Fortuna in te halen, 1720

This print, "Hebzucht probeert Fortuna in te halen," or "Avarice Tries to Overtake Fortune" was created around 1720 by an anonymous Dutch artist. The image encapsulates a profound commentary on early 18th century Dutch society, a period marked by burgeoning capitalism and its attendant social anxieties. The print depicts a chaotic scene where figures scramble in pursuit of Fortune, visually represented as a fleeing goddess. This reflects a society grappling with the moral implications of wealth accumulation. The Dutch Golden Age, which preceded this period, saw the rise of a powerful merchant class and a culture of conspicuous consumption. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping public discourse. They were affordable and widely circulated, allowing for the dissemination of moralizing messages. The Rijksmuseum's collection of such prints offers a window into the social and ethical debates of the time, revealing how art served as a mirror reflecting and critiquing societal values. To understand it better, one can research the economic structures, social classes, and political movements of the period.