Arbeid wordt beloond met voedsel en kledij 1572

This engraving now in the Rijksmuseum was made by Philips Galle, an artist working in the Netherlands during the late 16th century. It is based on a design by the artist Maerten de Vos. The image presents an allegory of labor, showing how hard work leads to reward. We see personifications of diligence, virtue, and labor, alongside symbols of abundance, like food and clothing raining down from the heavens. Galle and de Vos participated in a vibrant print culture in Antwerp, which was an important center of trade and art production. Printmaking allowed artists to disseminate their ideas widely, but it also depended on networks of patronage and commerce. To understand this image better, we might look at the economic history of the Netherlands at this time or study the classical sources that inspired its imagery. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can better appreciate the meaning and significance of this work of art.