Man Born to Toil, from The Reward of Labour and Diligence, plate 1 1572

"Man Born to Toil" is a 1572 engraving by Philips Galle, depicting a woman, possibly representing Nature, who nurses a child while a sphere in the sky filled with tools floats above her. This print from *The Reward of Labour and Diligence* is a visual allegory that highlights the importance of hard work and the inherent toil associated with human life. The tools on the sphere represent the many different forms of labor that humans engage in, while the woman nurturing her child signifies the inherent responsibility and care for the next generation. The artwork, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the Renaissance belief system that celebrated industry and the value of labor within society.