Wijsheid (Sapientia) overwint Menselijke Verbijstering (Caligo Humana) 1579

This etching by Johann Sadeler I depicts the allegorical figure of Wisdom (Sapientia) triumphantly conquering human ignorance (Caligo Humana). The engraving, created in 1579, shows Wisdom seated on a throne with a book in her lap, holding a serpent-wrapped scepter and a dove above her. Human ignorance is represented as a bound woman prostrate at her feet. The detailed composition and dramatic interplay between the two figures illustrate the power of knowledge over ignorance. The etching is an example of the artist's mastery of the medium, showcasing Sadeler's ability to create a sense of depth and movement through intricate lines and shading.