Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756) - L'Indovina (Allegoria della Curiosità Der Fürwitz)

Fascinating period Baroque satirical-moral print depicting a palm-reading scene. A young, refined noblewoman, elegantly dressed in the fashion of the eighteenth century and accompanied by a lady, offers her hand to an old fortune-teller (a stereotypical depiction of a Roma woman) so that she may read her future. A child can be glimpsed between the two figures, while a dog watches the scene on the right.
The work belongs to the celebrated tradition of German moral prints intended to warn viewers against vice. In this case, the target is the folly of human curiosity (Fürwitz) and the illusion that one can learn one’s fate through charlatans.

The print features a rich body of text in German Gothic type (Fraktur) and Latin:
• German text:
• "Der Fürwitz möchte gern zukünftige Dinge wissen..." (Curiosity would very much like to know what the future holds...)
• Latin text:
• "Communi sexus vitio vult nosse futura..." (Because of a vice common to her sex, she wants to know the future...)

In excellent overall condition for a work from the first half of the 18th century. Minor, normal signs of age, with light, even yellowing of the paper that lends it a splendid period patina. No invasive restoration or tears that compromise the image.