Allegory of America, from "The Four Continents" 1602 - 1676

Abraham Bosse's "Allegory of America," from "The Four Continents," depicts a female figure representing the Americas, standing proudly in a landscape with a spear and a globe in her hand. This etching, created between 1602 and 1676, showcases a distinct style of European illustration popular in the 17th century. The artist uses detailed lines to represent the figure’s clothing, environment, and the light coming from the sun. This artwork exemplifies a style that often depicted the world's continents as allegorical figures, showcasing the artistic trends of the time and the European perception of the Americas.