Monument ter herinnering aan de dwaasheid van het jaar 1720, 1720 Bernard Picart
This vivid illustration captures the folly of the year 1720, a time characterized by financial speculation and chaos. Fortune, personified as a jester, is seen scattering shares from atop a large cart. The cart, led by Fame, is pulled by personifications of the South Sea and Mississippi companies towards a poorhouse and madhouse, symbolizing the eventual downfall. Surrounding the cart are traders and victims of this financial calamity. To the right, in the background, is Quincampoix coffee house, a popular meeting place for speculators. At the bottom of the artwork is an emblem with the Latin motto 'Appearance Deceives'. The explanation of this portrayal is provided in both French and Dutch. This piece is print number 18 in the series 'The Great Mirror of Folly', which consists of satirical prints on the speculative 'bubble' trading of 1720.
