Boekenrad van Nicolas Grollier de Servière 1719

This 1719 engraving by Étienne-Joseph Daudet depicts a "Boekenrad", or book wheel, a unique invention designed for easy access to a collection of books. The wheel, filled with books, would rotate, allowing the user to select their desired volume without needing to move. The image shows a man seated in a chair, seemingly examining a book, while the book wheel stands behind him. The detail of the engraving, featuring a window looking onto a landscape and a curtain draped across the wall, adds to the sense of realism and places the book wheel within a domestic setting. This engraving captures the spirit of the Enlightenment era's focus on innovation and practical inventions.