A mathematician seated at a table, working on mathematical equations, from a portfolio of prints of the Imperial Gallery of Paintings in Vienna; plate 34 of the series 1728

This etching by Anton Joseph von Prenner, created in 1728, depicts a mathematician engrossed in his work. The subject is shown seated at a table, meticulously studying a book filled with mathematical equations. The artist's masterful use of line and shading conveys the intense focus of the scholar, emphasizing the importance of intellectual pursuits in the 18th century. The detail of the book and the tools used, such as a compass and protractor, further underscores the precision and rigor of mathematics. The image, originally part of a series of prints from the Imperial Gallery of Paintings in Vienna, offers a glimpse into the world of scientific inquiry during the Enlightenment.