Retorica 1587 - 1605

"Retorica" is an etching by Dutch artist Cornelis Drebbel, created between 1587 and 1605. The print depicts a scene of a woman and an older man in an interior setting. The woman, possibly representing eloquence, is partially clothed and is holding a book. The man, likely representing rhetoric, holds a staff with a serpent entwined around it. This work showcases Drebbel's talent for capturing details and creating a sense of depth, characteristic of the Northern Renaissance style. The engraving is housed in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.