Flora's Wagon of Fools

In this work, the painter Hendrick Pot made fun of an extraordinary phenomenon in Haarlem’s history – the speculation in tulip bulbs.
The painting, which is based on a print by Crispijn van der Passe II (c. 1594-c. 1670), was made around 1640, shortly after the collapse of the speculative trade in tulips. The flower goddess Flora, under a flag adorned with tulips and holding three of the valuable blooms in her hand, is enthroned in her chariot, depicted here as a wagon of fools. Three men wearing fools’ caps on their heads ride with her. Leckebardt (gluttony) cannot keep off the drink, Graegrijk (avarice) holds a bag of money and Liegwagen (loose talk), with a bell in his hand, tells his empty tales. Dame Vergaeral (collector’s mania) weighs tulip bulbs in a set of scales (bulbs were sold by weight) and the bird of hope flies away from Dame IJdel Hoop (vain hope). The wagon of fools will shortly be lost at sea.
The wagon is followed by a group of Haarlem weavers. They have abandoned their work, and walk behind the wagon. Haarlem weavers are known to have tried their luck in the speculation in tulips. The skyline of the city of Haarlem with the Church of St Bavo can be seen in the background to the left.