Secrets of Nature Discovered

A copperplate engraving presents an allegory of scientific discovery. In the center, a woman representing Nature wears a garment covered in eyes. She looks through a small microscope toward a divine, radiant eye in the sky. To her left, another woman sits at a table covered in plant and animal specimens. In the foreground, a partially nude figure representing Truth holds a sun and a quill pen, while her foot rests on a defeated figure with snakes for hair, representing Ignorance or Error. Truth holds an unrolling scroll with the title of the book. To the right, male scholars from the 17th century watch the scene; one kneels with a microscope and another stands holding one. Scientific tools, including an armillary sphere, sit on the steps. The engraver's name is on a small sheet of paper.

J. van Schaik made this. Latin: "fecit". This is the signature of the engraver Jan van Schayk.

something hidden original Latin: "quid occultum"

---

Delphis Batavorum is the Latin name for Delft. The date CIƆ IƆC XCV is a typographic representation of the Roman numerals for 1695.