Beloning en Eerlijkheid c. 1605

Raffaello Schiaminossi created this engraving, "Beloning en Eerlijkheid," which translates to "Reward and Honesty" in English, sometime between 1572 and 1622. During this time, European art was deeply entwined with moral and allegorical themes. The engraving presents us with two female figures, each representing a virtue. On the left, 'Reward' holds symbols of achievement, while on the right, 'Honesty' is depicted. These figures are not merely aesthetic; they embody the societal values of the time, reflecting a world where honor and integrity were upheld. The choice to personify these concepts as women tells us about the gendered expectations, where women were often seen as embodiments of virtue and morality. The landscape behind each figure adds a layer of meaning too, suggesting that these virtues are grounded in the world around us. The artist invites us to reflect on how reward and honesty shape our lives.