Eerlijkheid c. 1605

Raffaello Schiaminossi etched "Eerlijkheid," or "Honesty," a small print, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Our allegorical figure holds an apple, a symbol laden with meaning since antiquity—from Aphrodite's golden apple of discord to the forbidden fruit of Eden, embodying temptation and truth. Here, its presentation suggests discernment, honesty. Note the figure’s bare feet, a visual motif indicating truthfulness, unburdened by artifice. Yet, the apple, reminiscent of Eve's choice, introduces a tension between innocence and knowledge. This echoes in Renaissance art where classical nudes symbolize virtue and a return to origins. Observe how the symbol of the apple recurs through art history, changing with each epoch, reflecting collective anxieties and aspirations. Schiaminossi plays with the subconscious associations of these symbols, engaging our innate understanding of honesty, and the ever-present temptation to stray from it.