Die verschiedenen Stände im menschlichen Leben [“The Diverse Ranks of Human Life.”]

(GERMANY).

c. 1890

Color lithograph. Laid down.

German artist Fridolin Leiber (1853-1912) produced several ‘step-pyramid’ motif images with themes of social and ethical worth. In the present example, seven classes of society are depicted alongside their particular views of money: “The emperor says: I demand the tribute. The nobleman says: I have a free manor. The vicar says: I own the church service dues. The Jew says: I have to live on the profit. The soldier says: I pay for nothing. The beggar says: I have nothing. The farmer says: I let God the Lord rule, since I have to sustain the six of you.”