Eenmaal rijk stelt de mens zijn hoop op rijkdom 1550

This 1550 engraving by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert, titled "Eenmaal rijk stelt de mens zijn hoop op rijkdom" (Once rich, man places his hope on wealth), is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed. The artwork depicts a man, symbolizing humanity, kneeling before a bag of gold, with a devil standing behind him, trying to take possession of the wealth. A female figure, perhaps representing virtue, stands between them, wielding a sword. The artist, known for his allegorical works, uses the imagery of the devil and virtue to illustrate the struggle between temptation and morality. This engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a reminder of the enduring theme of human nature and the allure of material wealth.