Allegorische voorstelling met vrouw, leeuw en Neptunus 1677 - 1678

This anonymous engraving from 1677-1678 is a complex allegorical scene with a variety of figures and symbols. A woman sits on a globe with a lion and a trident, seemingly in the middle of a storm. Surrounding her are a multitude of putti holding shields and other objects, likely symbolizing the power and strength of the Dutch Republic. The inscription at the top, "Beschryvinge der GRAVEN van HOLLAND etc." (Description of the Counts of Holland, etc.), further suggests that the work is a political allegory celebrating the achievements of the Dutch Republic. This intricate design and the use of allegorical figures highlight the popularity of this style of art in 17th-century Netherlands.