Frygische Sibille before 1608

This etching by Christoffel van Sichem I depicts the Phrygian Sibyl, one of the ten Sibyls of ancient Roman tradition. The Sibyl is portrayed as a woman clothed in flowing robes, standing before a cave with a rocky landscape behind her. The artwork is part of a larger series of etchings of the Sibyls, created by the artist in 1608. The image showcases the detailed style of etching common in the early 17th century, with intricate details in the figure’s clothing and the surrounding landscape. The etching is a beautiful example of van Sichem's talent for capturing human figures in a dramatic, yet realistic manner. The Sibyl's expressive pose and gaze, which conveys a sense of both wisdom and a mystical nature, are enhanced by the surrounding dramatic landscape.