Ratio, from Proposopographia 1580 - 1595

"Ratio", from *Proposopographia* is an engraving by Philips Galle created between 1580 and 1595. The print depicts the personified figure of Ratio, a female figure holding a bridle in her left hand and a whip in her right. Ratio, meaning reason in Latin, is depicted in a Classical style, referencing a long artistic tradition of representing abstract ideas through human figures. This print was likely made for a book of allegorical engravings, as indicated by its numbering, and may have been part of a larger series. The image of Ratio represents the power of reason and control, making it a visually engaging reminder of the importance of intellectualism in the 16th century.