Cadmus zaait drakentanden, begeleid door Minerva 1764

"Cadmus zaait drakentanden, begeleid door Minerva" (Cadmus Sows Dragon Teeth, Guided by Minerva) is an etching created in 1764 by the Dutch artist Benoit Louis Prevost. The etching depicts a scene from Greek mythology in which Cadmus, guided by the goddess Minerva, is sowing dragon's teeth into the ground. This scene is a powerful image of the creation of warriors from the earth, a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and death. Prevost's detailed etching is a masterful example of the Rococo style, which was popular in the 18th century, characterized by intricate detail, light and delicate lines, and a sense of playful elegance. The scene is set in an idyllic landscape and depicts the figures in dynamic poses.