Afgunst (Invidia) 1585 - 1589

Jacob Matham's "Afgunst (Invidia)" (1585-1589) is an engraving depicting the personified form of Envy, as a woman with snakes for hair, a dog at her feet, and a serpent in her hand. This print is a detailed study of the human form, executed in a realistic and expressive style, characteristic of Northern Mannerism. The piece portrays Envy as a consuming force, her expression contorted in a fit of jealous rage. This etching is a visual representation of the destructive power of envy, emphasizing its ugliness and the internal struggles it brings.