Offer aan Aesculapius 1712

This 1712 engraving, titled "Offer aan Aesculapius" (sacrifice to Aesculapius), by Dutch artist Bernard Picart (1673-1733), depicts the Roman god of healing, Aesculapius, seated and receiving a sacrifice. The scene is characterized by symbolic objects like a snake winding around a staff, a lyre, and a vessel. The inscription below the image indicates the artwork's connection to a collection owned by a certain M. Masson. This engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a fine example of the intricate and symbolic art of the 18th century, drawing inspiration from classical mythology and Roman deities.