Vlijt

A woman in classical robes is shown in profile, seated upon a stone block amidst overgrown architectural ruins. She holds a long, braided whip in one hand and a pair of spurs in the other, attributes signifying the drive and discipline necessary to overcome sloth. The background features a tall Doric column and the suggestion of a simple building under a clear sky.

As a product of the Haarlem Mannerists, this print reflects the era's preoccupation with moral and philosophical virtues. In the Western esoteric and alchemical traditions, diligence (labor) was considered a necessary spiritual discipline, often paired with 'ora' (prayer) or 'spes' (hope) as a requirement for the 'Great Work' or the pursuit of natural philosophy.