Arithmetica (Rekenkunde) c. 1600 - 1685

"Arithmetica (Rekenkunde)" is an etching by Jean Baptiste Humbelot, a French artist active between 1600 and 1685. The artwork depicts a woman, likely an allegorical figure, holding an open book while looking at the viewer. She wears a lace collar, a fashionable garment from the period. The etching likely represents the importance of arithmetic and accounting in commerce and business, themes emphasized in the French inscription below the image. This is a typical example of allegorical engravings from the 17th century, reflecting the increasing importance of education in European society.