Edouard en het goud 1811

Joseph de La Serrie made this print, "Edouard en het goud", at an unknown date with etching. The print depicts a man taking a pot of gold away from a woman and child. It embodies the tension between familial duty and personal ambition. Produced in France, possibly during the late 18th or early 19th century, the image reflects the period's fascination with classical themes and moralizing narratives. France was undergoing significant social and political upheaval, which prompted artists to produce work that commented on societal values. In particular, institutions such as the monarchy and aristocracy were starting to come under attack. The print may then offer a subtle critique of greed and its impact on domestic harmony. To fully understand this print, one could research the artist's background, the historical context of early 19th-century France, and the symbolism associated with gold. This reveals how art is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.