Zintuig gevoel 1581 - 1656

"Zintuig gevoel" (1581 - 1656) is an etching by Dutch artist Nicolaes de Bruyn (1571-1656), housed in the Rijksmuseum. The piece, which measures 90mm x 117mm, depicts a seated woman with an owl perched on her outstretched hand. The woman is surrounded by animal imagery, with a tortoise, a lizard, and a crab at her feet, referencing the five senses. The background suggests a forest with a distant, ethereal scene of a winged figure and two people running toward one another, possibly symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge. This allegorical composition, with its intricate details and subtle symbolism, provides viewers with a glimpse into the intellectual climate of the 17th century.