Inleiding op de vier elementen 1653 - 1654

"Inleiding op de vier elementen" (Introduction to the Four Elements) is a 17th-century print by Dutch artist Jan Philipsz Schabaelje. Created in 1653-1654, the work is a detailed, illustrated explanation of the classical elements: fire, water, air, and earth. The print, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, utilizes intricate typography and visual metaphors to describe the properties and interactions of each element, offering a glimpse into the scientific and philosophical understanding of the natural world during the Dutch Golden Age.