Illustration to Proverbs 11: 26

Art Historical Context

Created in 1534 by German artist Daniel Hopfer, this etching illustrates Proverbs 11:26, a biblical verse about generosity and the consequences of hoarding grain. Hopfer, active during the early Reformation, specialized in producing affordable prints that brought religious and moral stories to a wider audience beyond church walls. The scene likely shows townspeople gathered among houses, reflecting everyday life in 16th-century Europe while conveying the proverb’s message about community and fairness. As one of the earliest artists to adapt etching—a technique originally used for decorating armor—into fine art printmaking, Hopfer helped transform the medium. Unlike engraving, etching allowed for freer, more expressive lines, which he used to create lively figures and architectural details. This impression, the second state of four, shows how printers adjusted the copper plate over time to refresh worn areas, extending the life of popular images. Measuring just under eight by eleven inches, the print’s modest size made it easy to collect and display in homes. Today it resides in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of drawings and prints, offering visitors a glimpse into how art and scripture intersected during a period of religious change.

About the Artist

Daniel Hopfer · 1471–1536

Daniel Hopfer (c. 1470–1536), born in Kaufbeuren, was the son of the painter Bartholomäus Hopfer and Anna Sendlerin. He relocated early to Augsburg, becoming a citizen and master painter there in 1493, and trained as an etcher of armor in this thriving center of arms production. By 1505, he owned a house in the city center and served on the guild committee for smiths, which encompassed painters an...