Allegorie op de balans tussen werk en vrije tijd 1608

"Allegorie op de balans tussen werk en vrije tijd" (Allegory of the Balance Between Work and Leisure) is a 1608 etching by Jacob van der Heyden, a Dutch Golden Age artist known for his detailed cityscapes and architectural drawings. The print depicts a scene of three figures: a clothed man representing labor holding tools and books, a bearded man in robes representing leisure with a lute and wine, and a nude man representing the consequences of idleness. The image is a visual representation of the moral idea that hard work brings prosperity while laziness leads to poverty. The text surrounding the figures in Latin and Dutch further reinforces this message. This allegorical print showcases Van der Heyden's skill in conveying complex ideas through visual language and the use of symbolism, which was typical of the Dutch Golden Age. The print's small dimensions, measuring 99 mm in height and 132 mm in width, suggest it was intended as a personal devotional piece or a part of a larger series of prints.