Enigmes Joyeuses pour les Bons Esprits, Plate 2 1610 - 1620

This etching, "Enigmes Joyeuses pour les Bons Esprits, Plate 2" (1610-1620) by Jan van Haelbeeck, depicts a humorous scene. A man, dressed in lavish attire, sits on a chair in a bedroom, struggling to put on his shoe while a woman, likely his wife, points to something, perhaps a forgotten detail or a playful riddle. The scene, rich in detail and executed with intricate lines, invites the viewer to engage in the enigma, offering a glimpse into the playful spirit of the period. The work is a testament to van Haelbeeck's skill in etching and reflects the evolving artistic tastes of the early 17th century.