The Ship of Fools

Currently not on view

The Ship of Fools

1559

Pieter van der Heyden (Flemish, c. 1530–after 1572) In the manner of Hieronymus Bosch (Netherlandish, c. 1450–1516) Published by Hieronymus Cock (Netherlandish, c. 1510–1570)

Here a fool steers a boat filled with singing revelers wholly absorbed in their music-making and unmindful of their ship’s course, which runs dangerously close to shore. The cherries held by the fool symbolize lust, while the jug attached to the ship’s side is an indication of the group’s drunkenness. The print criticizes absentmindedness, prurience, intemperance, and misplaced trust in a fool’s ability to captain a ship.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

The Ship of Fools

Date:

1559

Artists:

Pieter van der Heyden (Flemish, c. 1530–after 1572) In the manner of Hieronymus Bosch (Netherlandish, c. 1450–1516) Published by Hieronymus Cock (Netherlandish, c. 1510–1570)

Medium:

Engraving

Dimensions:

Sheet (cut within platemark): 8 15/16 × 11 11/16 inches (22.7 × 29.7 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Purchased with the SmithKline Beckman Corporation Fund, 1958

Accession Number:

1958-150-11

Geography:

Published in Antwerp, Southern Netherlands (modern Belgium), Europe

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Currently not on view