Vrouw met hoorn des overvloeds c. 1679 - 1750

This line engraving, “Vrouw met hoorn des overvloeds,” or “Woman with Cornucopia,” was produced by an anonymous artist, and now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The image depicts a classical allegorical figure, referencing the Roman goddess Abundantia. The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is an ancient symbol of prosperity, often associated with national wealth. But what does it mean in this context? The Netherlands has a long history of trade and mercantile activity, and the cornucopia may represent the success of Dutch commerce. The country's Golden Age was a time of immense wealth and global power, but it also came at the cost of the brutal realities of colonialism and slavery. Was this engraving made for purely decorative purposes, or does it express specific political ideas? Was it commissioned for a wealthy merchant family, or created for the public sphere? Historical research is the key to understanding the artwork's complexities. By analyzing the historical context, we can develop a richer understanding of the engraving's cultural meaning.