The artwork titled “Greed,” created by Pieter Bruegel the Elder circa 1556 to 1560, is an engraving on paper and belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. This artwork is part of “The Vices and the Virtues” series and falls under the genre of religious painting.
The engraving depicts an elaborate and bustling scene filled with various characters and symbolic elements that represent the vice of greed. Central to the composition is a woman seated at a table surrounded by coins and material wealth, signifying avarice. The surrounding environment is chaotic and cluttered; individuals are shown engaging in various activities driven by selfish desires, such as hoarding money and competing for resources. The background features ominous buildings emitting smoke, further emphasizing the moral decay and turmoil brought about by greed. The intricate details and expressive figures capture the social and moral critiques characteristic of Bruegel’s work, inviting viewers to reflect on the consequences of avarice.