DISCOVERART

Willem van Swanenburgh

The Devil Painting Man’s Heart, from Allegory of the Misuse of Worldly Property

1609
Engraving on ivory laid paper
21.6 × 16.1 cm (8.5 × 6.3 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This print series uses symbolic imagery to criticize the love and pursuit of worldly and material goods. A well-to-do man in a white neck ruff is repeatedly tempted by bags of gold presented to him by a blindfolded cupid and a horned demon. In the first print, the Devil sits before an easel, painting the man’s heart with images of women and jewels, while a woman ties a cord around the man’s ankle, binding him to the sin of lust. In the second, Cupid has been transformed from a symbol of pure love into one of greed as he points at bags of coins, tempting the man to climb the cliff. In the third plate, the Devil helps the man place a statue representing Hope onto the coins. Only in the final print, when the man is approached by the skeletal figure of Death, does he realize that his horde of treasure will not protect him. The series is based on designs by Maerten van Heemskerck, known for his allegorical compositions that were intended to reinforce moral lessons.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Willem van Swanenburgh

Last Judgement, plate 13 from Thrones of Justice (Thronus Iustitiae)Last Judgement, plate 13 from Thrones of Justice (Thronus IuJan van HeurnJan van HeurnSt Petrus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentSt Petrus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentSt Paulus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentSt Paulus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentZachaeus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentZachaeus, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentSaulus Rex, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentSaulus Rex, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentPortrait of Abraham BloemaertPortrait of Abraham BloemaertMagdalena, from Sinners of the Old and New TestamentMagdalena, from Sinners of the Old and New Testament

More like this

The Noble PainterAbraham Bosse — The Noble PainterThe Noble Artist Painting Louis XIIIAbraham Bosse|Jean I Leblond — The Noble Artist Painting LouThe PainterAbraham Bosse|Jean I Leblond — The PainterThe Noble PainterAbraham Bosse — The Noble PainterThe PainterAbraham Bosse|Jean I Leblond — The PainterMan with a Turban Leading a Woman who is Wearing Peacock Feathers, behind them a Torchbearer, from The MasqueradesJacob de Gheyn, II — Man with a Turban Leading a Woman who iA Harlot's Progress, Plate 3William Hogarth — A Harlot's Progress, Plate 3A Woman Led by a Player Holding a Torch, from The MasqueradesJacob de Gheyn, II — A Woman Led by a Player Holding a TorchA Grandee in Eastern Dress, a Man with a Cock attached to his Belt and a Veiled Woman Playing the Rumbling-Pot, from The MasqueradesJacob de Gheyn, II — A Grandee in Eastern Dress, a Man with A Couple Addressing a Gesticulating Young Man, from The MasqueradesJacob de Gheyn, II — A Couple Addressing a Gesticulating YouArtist Drawing a Portrait of a ManAlbrecht Dürer — Artist Drawing a Portrait of a ManThe Gentleman with Clasped Hands, plate eleven from La NoblesseJacques Callot — The Gentleman with Clasped Hands, plate ele