Omnium rerum vicissitudo est, title page

De Gheyn was not just an reproductive engraver. He also created his own designs, such as the present sheet depicting the personifications of virtues and vices, a popular theme in the period. The cycle consists of eight depictions of figures and a title page which features the same figures riding the wheel of fortune. There is a causal relationship between the individual virtues and vices: on the top right, Fortune (woman with a banner) leads to Wealth which causes Pride (bottom right) followed by Envy (bottom). The latter leads to War (bottom left) which brings Poverty (left), followed by Faith (top left). At the very top, the sunlit Peace sits on the throne and rules the earth.