Leugen en Bedrog verstoren een zakelijke transactie 1597

This intricate engraving by Hendrick Goltzius, titled "Leugen en Bedrog verstoren een zakelijke transactie" (Lies and Deceit Disturb a Business Transaction) from 1597, depicts a scene of deceit in a bustling port environment. Goltzius masterfully illustrates a narrative of betrayal in trade, with the central figure of a man being cheated by two figures, symbolized by “Fraud” and “Lies.” The artist uses detailed imagery to highlight the theme of deception, including a merchant writing a fraudulent contract amidst bales of goods, while ships, figures and cannonballs populate the background, creating a sense of bustling trade and the potential for trickery. The inscription in Dutch beneath the scene, taken from the Bible, further reinforces the moral message of honesty in business. This engraving is a testament to Goltzius’s mastery of the printmaking medium and his keen observation of the human condition.