Allegorie op de Romeinse Oudheid Possibly 1681 - 1799

This etching, "Allegorie op de Romeinse Oudheid," by François van Bleyswijck, is a complex allegorical work exploring the history of Roman law. The central figure, a female personification of Roman law, sits holding a scroll and a staff. Below her, a sword and shield lie on the ground, symbolizing the enforcement of law. The image is visually dense, incorporating elements like Roman ruins, coins, and celestial bodies. The artwork highlights the enduring influence of Roman law and its enduring influence on European history. This small print, dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century, likely served as an illustration or frontispiece for a legal treatise.