Allegorie van de wiskunde 1745

"Allegorie van de wiskunde," an anonymous 1745 etching, depicts a personification of mathematics as a woman in flowing robes holding a globe, symbolizing the cosmos, and standing on a pedestal adorned with mathematical instruments. A winged cherub with a compass and a scroll emphasizes the importance of precision. The elaborate rococo frame, with its floral motifs and scrollwork, frames the scene, adding to the elegant and scholarly nature of the artwork, which exemplifies the appreciation of scientific inquiry in the 18th century. This etching, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the allegorical approach to art during the 17th century, with its emphasis on the representation of abstract concepts.