Fortune Does Not Watch over All Sleepers from Six Sayings about Fortune 1555 - 1565

This engraving, "Fortune Does Not Watch over All Sleepers," was made by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert, sometime before 1590. The image is incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with astonishing precision. Look closely, and you can see how the varying depths and densities of the lines create a rich range of tones, almost like a grayscale photograph. This was achieved through careful application of tools like burins and scrapers. These tools allowed Coornhert to physically cut away tiny pieces of metal, thus defining the composition. The subject matter, a personification of Fortune ignoring a sleeping man, relates to the burgeoning mercantile culture of the Dutch Golden Age. It reminds viewers that prosperity isn't guaranteed, and that hard work is necessary for success. The print would have been relatively inexpensive, allowing for broad distribution and moral instruction. The image is a testament to the engraver's skill, and to the power of printmaking as a means of disseminating ideas and values. It is a stark reminder that craft and commerce are often intertwined.