Personificatie van middelmatigheid 1710s

"Personificatie van middelmatigheid" (Personification of Mediocrity), an etching by Dutch artist Arnold Houbraken (1660–1719), is a powerful portrayal of the concept of mediocrity. Houbraken uses a female figure as the personification of this quality, with a lion and a sheep representing opposing forces. The woman holds a leash connected to both animals, symbolizing her control over the extremes. This artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a striking example of Houbraken's allegorical style, often used to explore philosophical and moral themes.