When Fortune Is Abundant, the Fall Will Be Deeper from Six Sayings about Fortune 1555 - 1565

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert made this print, "When Fortune Is Abundant, the Fall Will Be Deeper," likely in the latter half of the 16th century, using an engraving technique. The process of engraving involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. What I find interesting is how Coornhert uses this linear medium to convey a complex allegorical scene. Notice the figures of Fortune and a river god, precariously balanced on a seesaw. The sharp, precise lines of the engraving lend a sense of tension and instability to the image. Engraving in this period was closely tied to the rise of print culture and the dissemination of ideas. It allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible. But it also demanded highly skilled labor, reflecting the social and economic structures of the time. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even seemingly simple materials and processes are deeply embedded in social and cultural context, and challenges traditional distinctions between artistic skill and craftsmanship.