Open full image Pin

The Dishonest Steward

Léonard Gaultier

1578

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

The Dishonest Steward is a 1578 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Léonard Gaultier
When & what style?: 1578 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a busy scene with two main groups. On the left, a group of people—some standing, some leaning—look at a man holding a bag. On the right, two older men sit at a table covered in coins, papers, and tools, while a third man stands nearby. In the background, a window opens to a small town with buildings and people walking. The man in the center seems to be caught in a lie, judging by his nervous pose. The coins and papers on the table suggest money or deals gone wrong. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Gaultier carved these details.