Tsaar Peter de Grote bezoekt het Museum Wildianum 1697 - 1700

This etching, created between 1697 and 1700 by Dutch artist Maria de Wilde, depicts Tsar Peter the Great visiting the Wildianum Museum. The detailed, yet minimalist, engraving showcases a meticulously decorated room filled with bookshelves, a globe, and various other objects. The scene portrays Peter the Great seated at a table with another man, likely the museum's curator, amidst the impressive collection. The artwork highlights the growing interest in scientific and historical knowledge during the late 17th century. The Wildianum, a private museum of natural history and antiquities, represented a prominent symbol of intellectual curiosity in the era. De Wilde's engraving captured the grandeur and intellectual atmosphere of the museum, highlighting the importance of historical and scientific collections in shaping the knowledge and understanding of the world.