Retorica (Welsprekendheid) 1565

"Retorica (Welsprekendheid)" is a 1565 engraving by Cornelis Cort. The artwork, which is currently held in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the personification of Rhetoric teaching a young man the art of public speaking. The scene is set on a rooftop with an Italian city in the background, referencing the classical origins of rhetoric. Cort’s meticulous detail creates a compelling and educational image for the viewer, illustrating the principles of rhetoric through symbolic imagery.