Exhortation Against Avarice c. 1470 - 1475

This image is of an anonymous broadside, an early form of printed media, likely created in Southern Germany in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. During this period, such broadsides played a crucial role in disseminating religious and moral teachings to a wide audience. The text, "Exhortation Against Avarice," reflects the period's anxieties about greed and materialism. It speaks to the socio-economic shifts happening at the time, as Europe was transitioning from a feudal system to a more money-based economy. The broadside warns against the pursuit of wealth, positioning it as a barrier to spiritual salvation. The artist draws on biblical parables and moralizing language to critique the growing obsession with material possessions. This piece can be seen as a form of early propaganda. Its message serves to reinforce communal values over individual wealth, a theme especially relevant as economic disparities began to grow. The broadside is not just a religious text. It’s a social commentary that captures the tensions between spiritual ideals and emerging capitalist desires.