Thermometrum 1682 - 1730

This elaborate etching titled *Thermometrum* (1682-1730), created by Dutch artist Jacobus Harrewijn (1660-1732), is a striking example of the use of allegory in scientific illustration. The central vertical scale represents a thermometer, measuring the degree of heat or cold. This central motif is framed by a rich and detailed composition, including figures and architectural elements, likely representing the different aspects of scientific observation and measurement. This artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the interplay between science and art in the 17th and 18th centuries.