Public domain
He who smashes the money box loses his penny before he knows it
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Two boys are on the verge of smashing their piggy bank with a hammer. A poor old man leaning on a stick points out to them that they might better continue saving. Otherwise, the same fate will befall them as him. The man makes a speaking gesture with three extended fingers. Below the image a verse in Latin by Franco Estius and a Dutch verse: The piggy bank smashed too early into shards ... in the young years.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineDie den spaarpot aan scherven slaat, is zijn penningsken kwijt, eer hij het kent. 1590 - 1594. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
