Time crowning Employment and punishing Idleness 1645 - 1677

Antoine Couchet created this engraving, Time crowning Employment and punishing Idleness, in the 17th century. The dramatic scene is crafted through precise lines etched onto a metal plate, then printed onto paper; a process demanding careful skill and manual labor. Look closely, and you'll see how the contrasting light and shadow create a sense of depth. Time, the winged figure, embodies both reward and punishment. To his left, Employment kneels, shovel in hand, a scene imbued with the virtue of hard work. To Time’s right, Idleness reclines against a barrel, heedless of the bundle of wheat stalks poised to strike him. This work speaks to the social values of the time. The imagery suggests that diligence leads to prosperity, while sloth results in suffering, reflecting the era's emphasis on work ethic. Couchet transformed base materials, metal and ink, through skilled labor, into a potent statement about morality. Considering the materials, processes, and social context, this print transcends traditional art historical categories. It encourages us to think about the relationship between labor, morality, and artistic creation.