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The Seven Deadly Sins: Greed, c. 1570. Creator: Backer, Jacob, de (1540/45-ca. 1600)
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The Seven Deadly Sins: Greed, c. 1570. Creator: Backer, Jacob, de (1540/45-ca. 1600)
The Seven Deadly Sins: Greed, c. 1570. Found in the Collection of the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
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Media ID 36218296
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1600 Abundance Acedia Affluence Anger Avarice Avaritia Backer Chance Cornucopia Covetousness Depts Despair Envy Extravagance Gluttony Greed Hubris Jacob Lechery Lust Luxuria Luxuriancy Mannerism Money Museo Di Capodimonte Naples Opulence Pride Prosperity Repentant Riche Riches Richness S Gula Seven Deadly Sin Sick Sinful Sinner Sloth Stinginess Vainglory Vanity Vices Weak Wealth Wealthiness Wrath
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This oil on canvas painting, titled "Greed" or "Avarice," is a masterpiece created by the Flemish artist Jacob de Backer around 1570. It is currently housed in the esteemed Museo di Capodimonte in Naples, Italy. The image portrays the sin of Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, with an intricate and thought-provoking composition. Greed, often depicted as Avarice or Covetousness, is represented in this painting as a grotesque, emaciated figure, sitting on a throne of coins and gold. His eyes are wide with desire as he clutches a cornucopia, an emblem of abundance, in one hand, while reaching out with the other, imploringly, as if begging for more. His face is twisted in an expression of insatiable desire and desperation. The painting is rich in symbolism and allegory. The cornucopia, a symbol of prosperity and abundance, is an ironic contrast to the sickly, weak figure of Greed. The background is filled with images of chance, such as a dice being rolled and a coin being tossed in the air, emphasizing the role of luck in the accumulation of wealth. The figure of Greed is surrounded by symbols of opulence, such as a golden chalice and a velvet cushion, highlighting the extravagance and vanity that often accompany greed. Despite the wealth and riches depicted in the painting, Greed appears sick and weak, emphasizing the destructive nature of the sin. The painting serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of greed and the emptiness of material wealth, inviting viewers to reflect on the true meaning of prosperity and the importance of living a virtuous life.
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