In Jan Wierix’s engravings, The Misanthrope is depicted as a figure burdened by a heavy cloak, symbolizing world-weariness. The series of twelve roundels portray literal enactments of Flemish proverbs relating to human folly and treachery. While seven scenes were engraved by Wierix, the authorship of the remaining five remains mysterious. The prints evoke the spirit of Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s work, even though Bruegel himself did not directly participate in their creation. The motifs in the engravings are reminiscent of popular proverbs and common sayings, offering a window into the art and culture of the sixteenth century.
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/wierix-flemish-proverbs/