Wealth, from Virtues and Vices 1596 - 1597

Zacharias Dolendo created this engraving, titled "Wealth," in the Netherlands during the late 16th or early 17th century. It's part of a series called "Virtues and Vices." The image presents an allegorical female figure, likely representing Fortuna, the goddess of fortune. She's adorned with jewelry, suggesting abundance, but her partially exposed body and the chaotic scene around her hint at the instability and potential for moral corruption associated with wealth. The overflowing treasure chest and the people climbing a ladder towards a grand building in the background speak to ambition and social climbing. This print reflects the social anxieties of a rapidly changing society, where mercantile wealth was beginning to challenge traditional hierarchies. Was Dolendo critiquing the excesses of the rising merchant class, or perhaps cautioning against the fleeting nature of earthly possessions? By studying the visual language and the socio-economic context of the Dutch Golden Age, we can begin to understand the complex social commentary embedded in this seemingly simple image.