Uitvinding van de schilderkunst 1693

"Uitvinding van de schilderkunst" (The Invention of Painting), a 1693 etching by Dutch artist Pieter Schenk, depicts a scene of allegorical figures, illustrating the power of art and the influence of love. The central figures, likely representing the muses, are engaged in an artistic activity, while putti, or cherubs, adorn the composition, symbolizing the creative spirit. The scene is framed by elaborate embellishments and draped fabric, a common element of 17th-century Dutch Baroque art. This etching, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, exemplifies Schenk's mastery of detail and the use of light and shadow to create a dramatic and engaging scene.