The Triumph of Envy, from The Cycle of the Vicissitudes of Human Affairs, plate 4 1564

Cornelis Cort created this engraving, "The Triumph of Envy," in 1564, a period marked by religious and political upheaval in Europe. It’s a piece deeply embedded in the moralizing tradition of its time, reflecting anxieties about social order and human nature. Cort channels these anxieties through a vivid allegorical scene: Envy, the mother of war, is enthroned on a chariot, driven by Iniquity and pulled by horses named Detraction and Calumny. These figures embody the destructive forces that contemporaries believed threatened social harmony. The print’s dense imagery and Latin inscriptions offer a glimpse into the era’s intellectual and moral landscape, reminding us that concepts like envy were not merely personal failings but forces with societal consequences. This print serves as a potent reminder of the anxieties of Cort's time, inviting us to reflect on the darker aspects of human behavior. While it speaks to the historical context of the 16th century, the themes of envy, discord, and the abuse of power remain strikingly relevant.