Verlichting c. 1795

"Verlichting", meaning "Enlightenment", is a c. 1795 etching by Dutch artist Lambertus Antonius Claessens. The artwork depicts a female figure, possibly representing Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn, holding a flaming torch and standing on the edge of the world, illuminating it with her light. This piece reflects the ideals of the Enlightenment era, a period of intellectual and cultural flourishing that emphasized reason and progress. The use of a female figure to symbolize enlightenment is a powerful visual metaphor, while the etching's delicate detail and dramatic composition contribute to its timeless appeal.