Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf

Art Historical Context

**Exempel und Lehr Jetiger Welt Lauf** (1622) is a striking etching by Andreas Bretsch III, a German print from a noted family of artists active in the early 17th century. Created during the tumultuous era of the Thirty Years', this print belongs to the National Gallery of Art's Rosen Collection, a treasure trove of historic works on paper. The title, translating roughly to "Examples and Lessons of the Current World's Course," hints at a moralistic or satirical commentary on contemporary society, a common theme in period emblematic prints that used visual allegory to instruct viewers on virtue...