Do Not Spend Your Savings Too Soon

c. 1592

Workshop of Hendrick Goltzius, after Karel van Mander I

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Related Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

Karel van Mander I

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1548 - 1606

The image shows three figures: one standing and two sitting. The standing figure is leaning forward with a walking stick, wearing a hooded garment. The two seated figures are interacting closely on a bench. The man on the left has curly hair and a wide-brimmed hat, while the man on the right wears a cap and holds a spherical object. In the background, there are trees and a thatched-roof building, suggesting a rural setting. The image is framed by a border with Latin text and a stamp at the bottom.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving and letterpress on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 24.4 x 17.5 cm (9 5/8 x 6 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 39.6 x 27.4 cm (15 9/16 x 10 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2004.2.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 95, State ii/iv

Associated Artworks

See all 6 artworks

Six Proverbs

1590

The image shows several figures dressed in detailed period clothing. One central seated figure holds a small chest or box and wears a ruffled collar, an elaborate hairstyle, and a hat. Surrounding this figure are others also dressed in historical clothing, with feathered hats, cloaks, and puffed sleeves. A cherub-like figure stands on the right holding a staff or rod. The background features a patterned floor, a brick wall, wooden beams, and scales. In the foreground, there are objects like scales and cylindrical items on the ground.

The Scales of Marriage

1590

The image features three figures seated at a table. They are positioned closely together. The person on the right is playing a bagpipe, the middle person has their hands resting on their lap, and the person on the left is holding a jug. The figures have distinct facial features with pronounced noses and expressive mouths. They all wear hats that cover their hair. The clothing is loose and textured, typical of peasant attire, with long sleeves and tunics. A dog is lying in the foreground. In the background, there is a small window with a figure looking out, trees, and a building resembling a church. Details on the table include a knife and a napkin or cloth.

The Bagpipe Must Be Filled

1590

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Château de la Roche-Guyon, France (part of an album)1; (Paul Prouté S.A., Paris); purchased by NGA, 2003.
1 The album was bound in vellum, with "Abraham" on the cover and "Ligeoys" on the back cover. The Château de la Roche-Guyon stamp was on some of the pages, which included a variety of northern mannerist prints by Goltzius, Matham, Saenredam, and others. It was apparently dismantled by Prouté for sale of some of the prints to the NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Karel van Mander, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 95, state ii/iv.

Inscriptions

lower left, in image, in plate: 1; lower left, in image, in plate: C. Mander Inve.below image, in plate: Dum lutulenta [a]etas, atq[ue] inconsulta luuentus / Feruet adhuc, stultè sua qui profundit, opesq[ue] / Deglubit patru[a]e v[a]esanus ganeo test[a]e / Hic petat Anticyras, veratri et pocula potet / Exhaustis loculis veniet gemebunda, tremensq[ue / Decrepita, et canens, macieq[ue] eff[a]eta Senectus, / Heu sibi tunc lapsos quoties iterarier annos / Optabit, doctusq[ue] malis meliora docebit. F. Estius (When still in the prime of life and in rash Youth, he who foolishly squanders his possessions and madly dissipates his father's wealth before the eyes of revellers, should to to Anticyra and drink cups of hellebore. Because Old Age, moaning, shaking, decrepit, grey and exhausted from emaciation, will come with an empty coffer: ah, and how often will Old Age wish to recover the years past and having learned through bitter experience be better able to impart wisdom); below plate, in letterpress: Den spaer-pot te vroegh ghemaeckt tot scherven, / Doet menich door derven,, te late sparen: / Den ouden man moet in armoede swerven / Die niet was bedacht, in de jonghe jaren. (Tis yet to soon to breake this Money Pot, Yet all run's out till 'tis to late to hold, Soe who in's youth to get bethinks him not, Must want and beg when once hee doth grow old.)
[translations by Jan Bloemendal in The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Karel van Mander, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1999, no. 95, p. lxxv.)]

Watermarks

coat of arms with three lily flowers (Briquet 1841)

Wikidata ID

Q76360461

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