Goudweegster (variant zonder duivels) 1659 - 1740

Jan van der Bruggen created this print, Goudweegster (variant zonder duivels), a Dutch work, likely during the late 17th or early 18th century, using engraving. It presents a scene of commerce and morality, reflecting the complex values of the Dutch Golden Age. The image depicts a woman carefully weighing gold, while a man diligently records the transaction, and the looming presence of a skull reminds us of mortality. This tableau speaks volumes about the social and economic climate of the time, where trade and wealth accumulation were central to Dutch society. The absence of devils, as indicated in the title, may suggest a critique of extreme avarice. To fully understand this work, we delve into the history of Dutch trade and its impact on social structures. Archival research and studies of period literature would illuminate the moral debates surrounding wealth and commerce. The history of Dutch printmaking could help us understand the role of images in shaping public opinion. This print encapsulates enduring tensions between material wealth and spiritual values.