De gevolgen van drankzucht Possibly 1590 - 1652

This anonymous engraving, "De gevolgen van drankzucht" (The Consequences of Drunkenness), portrays a man in a state of despair, likely due to his excessive drinking. Dating to around 1590-1652, this piece from the Rijksmuseum highlights the dangers of overindulgence, a common theme in 17th-century Dutch art. The text below the image describes the physical and social deterioration associated with alcoholism, emphasizing the suffering and poverty that result. The man’s slumped posture, melancholic expression, and surrounding objects, including a half-eaten fish, a broken cup, and a basket, all contribute to the image’s powerful message of the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.