Philetas en Psyche 1637

Crispijn van den Queborn's 1637 etching "Philetas en Psyche" is a small, detailed depiction of a scene from the Dutch Golden Age, perhaps even a comedic theatrical performance. The visual composition showcases a man in a wide-brimmed hat and a woman standing in a room, perhaps a bedchamber, as they engage in a lighthearted, flirtatious dance. Van den Queborn captures the playful, expressive emotions of his subjects with precision, and the use of fine lines and hatching enhances the dimensionality of the scene. This artwork, now in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to van den Queborn's mastery of etching and his keen eye for capturing everyday human interaction, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural life of the time.