‘It Takes Strong Legs to Carry Luxury’
ca. 1625 - ca. 1635
Medium
red chalk, original framing line in red chalk
Dimensions
408; 503
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Legaat van de heer D. Franken, Le Vésinet
Art Historical Context
### ‘It Takes Strong to Carry Luxury’ Adria Pietersz van deenne, a prominent Dutch artist of the Golden Age (1589–1662), created this evocative red chalk drawing around 1625–1635. Working primarily in Leiden and Middelburg, van de Venne was renowned for his intricate genre scenes, allegories, and satirical works that blended fine draftsmanship with moral commentary. The title, a Dutch proverb, hints at a witty social critique—likely depicting the burdens of wealth or vanity, where luxury demands sturdy support, perhaps symbolized by peasants or everyday figures bearing opulent loads. This mor...