Allegorische voorstelling op de geografie 1704

This 1704 engraving by Jan van Vianen, titled *Allegorische voorstelling op de geografie* (Allegorical Representation of Geography), depicts a scene rich in symbolism. The central figure, a winged angel, represents the divine inspiration for geographical knowledge. Below her, three women, possibly representing the continents, explore a globe, while an angel holds a book, signifying the written documentation of geographic discoveries. This intricate and detailed artwork, housed at the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the importance and prestige of geographic exploration during the Dutch Golden Age.