Allegorie op de zelfzucht Possibly 1556 - 1676

Pieter van der Heyden created this engraving titled "Allegory of Selfishness" sometime before 1569. At first glance, the image presents a chaotic scene, but it speaks volumes about the social fabric of 16th-century Europe. In the Netherlands, the rise of a merchant class brought new anxieties about wealth and morality, and this print engages directly with those concerns. The figures are all scrambling, pushing, and hoarding material possessions, labeled with words "each," "nobody" and references to personal gain. This visual chaos challenges the social harmony that was considered essential for a well-ordered society. The use of text within the image acts as a moralizing commentary, common in Netherlandish art of the period. It suggests that prioritizing individual profit above all else leads to societal breakdown. Understanding the social and economic context, as revealed in period literature and economic records, is crucial to interpreting art like this. It encourages us to see art not just as aesthetic objects, but as active participants in their own cultural moments.