Allegorie op de middag met personificatie van Meridiës (de middag) c. 1590 - 1637

Egbert van Panderen's "Allegorie op de middag met personificatie van Meridiës (de middag)" (c. 1590-1637), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the allegorical art popular in the Dutch Golden Age. This etching depicts a personified Meridiës (the midday sun) hovering above a rural landscape, symbolizing the heat of the day. Below, the imagery portrays the typical midday activities of peasants: harvesting crops, tending to livestock, and seeking respite from the scorching sun. The detailed portrayal of these daily tasks provides a glimpse into the daily life of the 17th-century Dutch countryside, while the allegorical aspect adds a layer of philosophical meaning to the artwork.