Rekenkunde (Aritmetica) 1587 - 1605

Cornelis Drebbel made this engraving, “Rekenkunde,” or “Arithmetic,” at an unknown date. It presents a vision of mathematics as one of the liberal arts. Allegorical prints of this kind were common in the Netherlands at this time. Here we see an idealized female figure representing arithmetic, carefully writing in a book. A male figure is also present, looking over her shoulder, perhaps checking her work. We can tell from the presence of astronomical instruments behind them that mathematics was conceived as part of a wider field of intellectual inquiry in the early modern period. Prints like this one reflected the growing importance of mathematics in Dutch society and culture. As Dutch merchants expanded their trade networks, they needed sophisticated tools for calculation. This print suggests that mathematics was not just a practical skill but an essential component of a well-rounded education for the aspiring elites. To learn more, one might research the history of mathematics education in the Dutch Republic, or study other prints and paintings that depict mathematical themes.