1558
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Avarice is a 1558 ink by Pieter van der Heyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a chaotic mix of people and strange objects. In the center, a woman in fancy clothes sits on a pile of coins, surrounded by tiny human figures. Above her, a giant hand holds a scale tipped with a heavy purse. Around them, people are fighting, drinking, or playing instruments while odd tools like telescopes and cauldrons float in the air. The whole image feels like a messy, dark dream with sharp lines and no color. The word *Avaritia* (Latin for greed) is written at the bottom, hinting this is about money and desire. The tiny figures might represent how greed affects everyone, even the poor. If you like this wild style, look up engraving to see how artists carved these details into metal.
Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.
See the richer artist page
