Gestrafte hebzucht 1876 - 1895

Ducourtioux & Huillard created this print, "Gestrafte hebzucht," with lithography. It presents a series of vignettes depicting a narrative about greed and its consequences, likely intended for a broad audience in the Netherlands. The imagery, with its detailed depiction of 18th-century attire and settings, suggests a commentary on the social structures of its time. Notice how wealth and poverty are contrasted throughout the composition. This kind of narrative piece reflects broader cultural concerns around morality, class, and economic behavior. The choice of lithography as a medium made it possible to produce this work on a relatively large scale, indicating an intention to reach a wide audience. To understand this piece better, one might research popular moral tales of the time, or delve into the history of Dutch printmaking and its role in shaping public opinion. By examining the historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the ways in which art reflects and comments on the social institutions of its time.