Public domain

The Wheel of Fortune; The Five Estates

Albrecht Dürer · 1521 - 1528 · houtsnede; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The left part (the first two blocks of the six) of a wide woodcut, which either served as the model for, or is a copy of, the representation on a tapestry from Castle Michelfeld on the Rhine. On the left the Wheel of Fortune, moved by a fox on one side and a young lady representing Time on the other. On the right a peasant, a smith, a merchant, a prince and a knight, representations of the five social estates. They carry a scroll with a text about the unjust judge on the next part of the woodcut.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description

Subjects

print farmers working class, labourers Turn of Fate, Wheel of Fortune nobility and patriciate chivalry, knighthood

Credit lineHet rad van fortuin; de vijf standen. 1521 - 1528. Albrecht Dürer. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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