Rijke kinderen, arme ouders 1609

"Rijke kinderen, arme ouders" (Rich children, poor parents), an etching by Claes Jansz. Visscher, created in 1609, depicts the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. The left side shows an elderly couple, likely beggars, with a turkey in the foreground. They are positioned in front of a grand castle, hinting at the opulent lives enjoyed by the well-to-do. On the right side, a wealthy family, adorned in luxurious clothing, engages in a casual stroll. This poignant work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures the social realities of 17th-century Dutch society.