Rekenkunde (Aritmetica) 1587 - 1605

"Rekenkunde (Aritmetica)," an engraving by Cornelis Drebbel (1572-1633), depicts the personification of Arithmetic instructing a student in a scholarly setting. The composition, likely created between 1587 and 1605, showcases the artist's attention to detail as it portrays a room filled with books, instruments, and other objects associated with learning. The female figure of Arithmetic, adorned in a veil, points to a tablet of numbers, guiding her pupil's understanding. This artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Drebbel's mastery of the engraving technique and his interest in depicting scientific and intellectual pursuits.