Allegorische omlijsting 1650 - 1695

This etching, *Allegorische omlijsting*, created between 1650 and 1695 by Gaspar Bouttats, features a classical architectural frame with two figures pushing open a door, revealing a blank oval space. The oval is framed by a decorative archway, with a bust in a niche at the top. The bottom of the piece is filled with a tangle of monstrous creatures and a collection of weapons, creating a dramatic and intricate composition. This work, now in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the Baroque style with its emphasis on dramatic movement, theatricality, and the use of allegory and symbolism.