Tekstblad over de Schilderkunst 1693

This printed text, “Tekstblad over de Schilderkunst,” was produced by Charles Perrault to discuss painting. Look closely at the imagery being described. The author describes painting through the symbols of a woman, palette in hand, and a canvas before her. We find this motif of the female personification of painting recurs throughout history, notably in Cesare Ripa's "Iconologia." There, “Pittura” is described as a beautiful woman, with wild, unbound hair as a symbol of the divine frenzy of artistic inspiration. She holds a mask in one hand, representing art's imitation of nature, and a brush in the other, signifying the physical act of creation. This blending of feminine beauty with artistry represents a powerful emotional concept—the allure of creativity, which is a constant source of fascination and inspiration. Just as in the 17th century, it still engages us today. This shows how images have a life of their own. They are constantly reappearing and transforming across generations.