De Waarheid van de universele geschiedenis onthuld 1737

"De Waarheid van de universele geschiedenis onthuld" (The Truth of Universal History Revealed), an engraving by Pieter Yver from 1737, depicts a scene of allegorical figures representing history, truth, and the power of learning. In this intricate piece, a winged angel, Time, guides a young prince towards a female figure representing Truth, who reveals herself through a book. The artwork alludes to the Enlightenment's emphasis on knowledge and its role in shaping history. The setting, with statues of historical figures like Alexander the Great and Caesar, further reinforces the theme of historical understanding. This small-scale print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the Dutch Baroque style with its detailed figures and dramatic use of light and shadow.