Adelaar en slang 1670

"Adelaar en slang" (Eagle and Serpent) is an anonymous etching from 1670, housed at the Rijksmuseum. The image depicts an eagle in a dramatic struggle with a serpent, the serpent's tail coiled tightly around the eagle's body. Above, a putto with a banner floats in a radiant sunbeam. This dynamic image, while likely allegorical, is not easily deciphered. The small size of the work hints at a personal rather than public audience. The etching is a testament to the technical skill of the anonymous artist, and the dramatic subject matter is engaging and powerful. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism.