Allegorie op de rechten van de mens 1795

This engraving, "Allegory on the Rights of Man," was created in 1795 by Jeremias Snoek. The print presents a highly structured composition, dominated by a central temple-like structure, framed by allegorical figures and cherubic forms. The artist uses line and form to build a visual argument about enlightenment ideals. The temple, with its rigid columns and dome, functions as a classical reference to reason. Snoek positions figures such as Freedom and Unity in the foreground to symbolize the synthesis of enlightenment values. The image employs a visual semiotic system where elements like laurel wreaths, stone tablets, and architectural motifs serve as signs of freedom, law, and rationality. The print can be seen as a formal expression of the period's philosophical debates, using visual vocabulary to explore concepts of justice, liberty, and collective action. The artwork invites ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.