Salomon Saverij

This moralising depiction is based on a painting by Pieter Quast, the modified composition of which shows the two protagonists in this print together with a man smoking in an interior setting (Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin). The deeper meaning of the somewhat cryptic Dutch caption is that money makes the world go around. The stylish officer in his expensive and ostentatious attire hands a young woman a coin to make her submit to his will – a gesture with a clearly erotic overtone. No less splendidly dressed herself, she holds a tasselled purse in her right hand, which alludes to her activity as a woman of easy virtue.

This work is the companion piece to an etching (Hollstein 95) showing a dandy smoking, which can be seen as an allegory of the idle wasting of time (see Spiegel van Alledag. Nederlandse genreprenten 1550–1700, edited by E. de Jongh, G. Luijten, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam 1997, pp. 233–35, no. 46). The artist has employed a detailed and intricate etching technique which is particularly effective in the very skilful and varied treatment of the textures. Salomon Saverij was the son of the Flemish painter and engraver, Jacob Saverij the Elder, who was given the freedom of the city of Amsterdam in 1591. He left an extensive, technically sophisticated corpus of prints including allegories, historical representations, costume and genre scenes as well as portraits. The present etching is nonetheless rare.

A very fine, crisp impression, trimmed to the platemark. Minor ageing, occasional remains of old hinges, otherwise in excellent condition.