Cléobule 1634 - 1645

"Cléobule", a 17th century etching by Jean Couvay, depicts a figure standing with a snake-wrapped staff. The ornate clothing and turban suggest a historical or mythological figure, possibly from antiquity. The subject's name and inscription below provide further context. The etching's style is characteristic of the Baroque period with its focus on detail and drama. The work, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the artistic techniques and cultural interests of the 17th century.