XII Foro Villiaco 1614

"XII Foro Villiaco" (1614) is an engraving by Dutch artist Roemer Visscher (1547-1620), now in the Rijksmuseum. This small work, part of a larger series, depicts a farmer sifting chaff from grain. The scene is allegorical, representing how the "lighter" and less valuable members of a group will always appear more visible, while the "heavier" and more substantial elements are often hidden. The engraved lines create a detailed, nuanced image, highlighting Visscher's skill in capturing both the physical process and the symbolic meaning of the act of sifting.