Plate 23: Emperor Charles V, campaign in Africa; from Guillielmus Becanus's 'Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...' 1636

This etching, "Plate 23: Emperor Charles V, campaign in Africa" by Jacob Neeffs, is a detailed illustration from Guillielmus Becanus's 1636 work "Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...". The print features a dramatic scene of Emperor Charles V standing on a ship, reaching out to Africa personified as a woman, holding a lion and serpents, a symbol of the continent's wild and untamed nature. The engraving, created in 1636, showcases the detailed style of etching, emphasizing the intricate lines and textures. This work from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a testament to the artistic and historical significance of printmaking in the 17th century.