The Merchant Robbed by Monkeys 1562

Pieter van der Heyden's "The Merchant Robbed by Monkeys" (1562) is a detailed engraving depicting a sleeping merchant being robbed by a mischievous band of monkeys. This humorous and satirical piece reflects a popular theme in 16th-century art, highlighting the dangers of greed and the folly of human vanity. The composition is filled with lively detail, from the playful monkeys' antics to the merchant's oblivious slumber. This print, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, continues to entertain viewers with its charming depiction of this age-old cautionary tale.