Vrouwelijke personificatie van Amerika als vrouw met hoofdtooi van veren en pijl en boog zittend op kaaiman 1648 - 1664

This etching by Cornelis van Dalen II, created between 1648 and 1664, depicts a female personification of America. She is crowned with a feathered headdress and sits astride a caiman, holding a bow and arrows. The image is a striking example of the allegorical representations of continents that were popular in the 17th century. The artist utilizes the animal imagery to symbolize the power and ferocity of the New World, while the woman's clothing suggests the influence of European culture. The etching is now held in the Rijksmuseum and showcases the artist's skills in detail and composition. This work is a powerful and evocative representation of the early European perception of the Americas.