Onstuimigheid en Rede c. 1605

Raffaello Schiaminossi created this engraving titled *Onstuimigheid en Rede* in the late 16th or early 17th century. During this time, European society was undergoing significant transformations, grappling with religious conflicts and the rise of humanism. The print contrasts two distinct figures: on the left, a man representing "DIFETVS ANIMI" or "The Defects of the Soul", adorned with lavish clothing and holding a musical instrument, symbolizes pleasure and emotional excess. On the right, a woman embodying "RATIO" or "Reason," subdues a lion with a bridle while wielding a sword, embodying intellect. This artwork engages with the period’s societal tensions between indulgence and restraint, emotion and intellect. Schiaminossi invites us to consider how these forces shape our identities. The print embodies the complex interplay of human nature, reflective of the ongoing negotiation between freedom and control that continues to resonate today.