A satirical seventeenth-century engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry depicting an allegory of human laziness and the recruitment of the idle.

This engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry presents a satirical commentary on the vice of sloth. The composition is structured around a central narrative where 'Hauptman Lentz' (Captain Sloth) recruits followers. The scene features figures seated at a table, surrounded by symbols of inactivity and leisure. To the right, a figure representing 'der Sommer' (Summer) pushes a wheelbarrow containing another individual, illustrating the physical manifestation of laziness. The inclusion of speech scrolls, or banderoles, provides direct dialogue that clarifies the moralising intent of the work. The Latin inscription at the base, 'DESIDIAM IGNAVI SEQVIMVR, LENTVMQ SOPOREM', reinforces the theme by condemning the pursuit of sluggishness and sleep.

De Bry, a member of a prominent family of engravers and publishers, utilised the medium of copperplate engraving to achieve high levels of detail in the costumes and architectural elements. The cross-hatching techniques define the shadows and textures of the clothing, while the perspective remains relatively shallow, typical of the period's illustrative prints. The work functions as a moral emblem, common in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, designed to instruct the viewer on the dangers of idleness. The figures are rendered with the elongated proportions and expressive gestures characteristic of Northern Mannerism. This print offers a glimpse into the social and moral preoccupations of the era, where visual art served as a tool for public education and ethical reflection. The clear delineation of characters, from the captain to the ensign 'Hans Vnfleiss' (Hans Un-diligence), creates a structured hierarchy of vice that is both humorous and cautionary.