two men fighting with swords and shields in foreground, with two other pairs of figures in background at right; pair of lions and pair of quadrupeds (foxes?) in landscape in background; text at bottom

Man often fights, plate #6 from "The Misery of Human Life", 1563

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In the foreground, two warriors face off with swords and shields. One just wears cloth, while the other has body armor and a helmet. More men can be seen fighting in the distance, while pairs of animals (lions and dogs), lie in peace. The point is simple: Unlike animals, men are always fight and thus bring misery upon themselves.

This is the final print in a series of six that studies the misery of human life. The images were designed by Maarten van Heemskerck and engraved by Philips Galle. Each is accompanied by Latin verses by the learned Dutch polymath Hadrianus Junius (1511-1575), with further verses in French and Dutch below.

Details
Title
Man often fights, plate #6 from "The Misery of Human Life"
Artist Life
1537 - 1612
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2021.69.19.6
Catalogue Raisonne
The Illustrated Bartsch, vol. LVI .072:6 New Hollstein, Philips Galle, Part II.292 I/II
Curator Approved

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two men fighting with swords and shields in foreground, with two other pairs of figures in background at right; pair of lions and pair of quadrupeds (foxes?) in landscape in background; text at bottom