Artwork

The Rich Man Being Carried Away by the Devil

The Rich Man Being Carried Away by the Devil, by German 16th Century, ink, 1554
The Rich Man Being Carried Away by the Devil, by German 16th Century, ink, 1554

The Rich Man Being Carried Away by the Devil is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1554 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Rich Man Being Carried Away by the Devil is an engraving that depicts a dramatic scene of a man being dragged away by a horned figure. The print combines detailed imagery with Latin text to convey a moral message.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving shows a man clutching a bag of coins being dragged downward by a muscular, horned figure, surrounded by twisted creatures and a skeletal horse. The Latin text at the bottom suggests the scene represents the consequences of greed.

Technique & Style

The artist achieved depth and tension in the print through the use of sharp lines and shading, creating a detailed and dynamic composition.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 16th Century

Artist

German 16th Century

A German artist from the late 1500s drew lively scenes of knights clashing in parades and mock battles.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.