Allegory of the Carpenter

This engraving from 1640 by Jacob Neefs, after a design by Philip Fruytiers, was produced for Disciplinae mathematicae by Jesuit scholar Joannes Ciermans. It was intended as an instructional image reflecting the role of labor and invention in shaping the material world. The scene features a single putto carefully setting the balance on a scale, symbolizing judgment and precision. Beside him lie tools for milling and hoisting lumber, including a block and tackle, highlighting the mechanical ingenuity required in woodwork. The image honors carpentry not just as a craft, but as a discipline grounded in the thoughtful use of tools and engineered mechanisms.