LIII Als my fortuijn tot hoogheydt voert, Soo laet ick gheen dreck ongheroert 1614

Roemer Visscher made this engraving, sometime before 1620, as part of a series of emblems, each combining an image with a moralizing motto. The image shows a pig perched atop a sphere, perhaps representing the world. The animal is rooting around, snout to the ground, indifferent to its elevated position. The printmaking technique is key here. Engraving involves painstakingly incising lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The crisp, precise lines lend a sense of clarity and detail to the image. Consider the labor involved, the hours of focused work needed to create this image. This connects to the print's message: a critique of those who rise to power but remain base and self-serving, "leaving no dirt untouched." The print reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the product of skilled work, imbued with social commentary. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and consider the material and social context in which art is made.