Luiaard ligt te slapen 1563 - 1579

Philips Galle created this print, "Luiaard ligt te slapen," using engraving in the late 16th or early 17th century. This piece presents a scene ripe with historical and cultural symbolism, inviting us to consider the social hierarchies of the time. On one side, we see figures of apparent importance, perhaps landowners or merchants, their fine clothing a stark contrast to the sleeping figure slumped over a barrel. This juxtaposition isn't just about leisure versus labor; it speaks to the complex relationship between those who profited and those whose labor enabled that profit. The figure is physically vulnerable. Engravings like these often served a didactic purpose, reinforcing societal norms. Galle's work reflects and perhaps questions the prevailing attitudes towards work, rest, and social duty. It resonates with emotional unease, hinting at the human cost of economic disparity. The print serves as a reminder of the personal stories often obscured by the grand narratives of history.