Fortune Does Not Watch over All Sleepers from Six Sayings about Fortune

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert, created around 1560, forms part of the series *Six Sayings about Fortune*. The work captures a timeless moral theme through its depiction of a goddess—likely Fortuna—alongside sleeping men and boats, suggesting that fortune does not extend protection to everyone who rests or remains inactive. Coornhert, a Dutch Renaissance figure, used this imagery to explore human vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of fate in a visually compelling way. As an engraving, the medium allowed Coornhert to create fine, detailed lines that could be reproduced and shared widely during the sixteenth century. This printmaking technique played a key role in spreading moral and philosophical ideas across Europe, making complex sayings accessible beyond elite circles. The modest plate size further indicates it was designed for personal reflection or collection rather than grand display. Visitors may appreciate how the composition blends symbolic elements with everyday scenes, inviting contemplation on diligence and destiny. Today, the work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Drawings and Prints department, offering a window into Northern European artistic traditions of the period.