Fabel van het woord van Socrates 1758

This 1758 etching by Johann Heinrich Meil, titled “Fabel van het woord van Socrates,” depicts a scene from one of the famous Greek philosopher's fables. The image is set in a bucolic landscape, a man in traditional clothing stands pointing his finger towards a small building on the right side of the image. The work’s detailed composition is reminiscent of 18th-century European engraving, with the use of hatching and crosshatching techniques to create tonal variations and depth. This illustration is likely a depiction of Socrates' teachings on the virtue of humility and self-awareness, a central theme in his philosophy. The image offers a glimpse into the artistic style of Meil and the visual culture of the Enlightenment period.