Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf Possibly 1622

Andreas Bretschneider created this intaglio print, "Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf," a title which translates to “Example and Lesson of the Current World,” sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. The composition is anchored by a central group of figures surrounding an open chest, their gazes and gestures drawing our attention to its contents. The artist employs a dense network of lines to define forms and textures, creating a visually rich surface. The hatching technique contributes to a sense of depth, though perspective is somewhat flattened. The print is a semiotic system, using symbols such as the books and the celestial globe to communicate ideas about knowledge, science and wealth. The men handling coins represent the pursuit of worldly riches, a theme common in moralizing art of the period. It invites viewers to reflect on the transience of earthly possessions and the importance of virtue over material wealth. Ultimately, the image’s structured arrangement and symbolic content combine to challenge viewers to consider their own values and priorities in the face of worldly temptations.