Embleem met allegorie op vriendschap 1681 - 1737

This etching by François van Bleyswijck, titled *Embleem met allegorie op vriendschap*, is a visual representation of the concept of friendship. The image depicts a female figure holding a cup, symbolizing the virtues of friendship, while a serpent-like creature represents the perils of envy and conflict. The etching is part of a larger series of allegorical images, providing a commentary on the complexities of human relationships. This 18th-century work exemplifies the use of symbolic imagery to convey moral and philosophical ideas, a common practice in art during this era.