Minerva beloont of huldigt man voor zijn werk, in cartouche 1755

This 1755 etching by Dutch artist Abraham Delfos depicts Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, bestowing a laurel wreath upon a kneeling man. The scene is set within an ornate cartouche, featuring elaborate scrollwork and a banner inscribed with the Latin phrase "In laboris praemium," meaning "Reward for labor." This allegory celebrates the value of hard work and intellectual pursuit, reflecting the ideals of the Enlightenment era. The detailed engraving, with its intricate details and fine lines, exemplifies the technical skill of Delfos, a prominent printmaker of his time.