Book Title: Spiegel van het menselyk bedrijf : in kleuren vertoond met honderd verbeeldingen, van ambachten, konsten, hanteeringen en bedryven, met verzen / Jan en Kasper Luiken.

Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712

Image Title: The Diamond Cutter: They’re drops from a spring, That ends nor begins

Scripture Reference:

• Proverbs 8 (further images / scripture text)

Description: A diamond cutter regards a diamond that he has fastened in a pair of tongs; he stands next to a cutting wheel, which is rotated by a woman using a turning wheel. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712), was responsible for drawing this emblem and for creating the motto and poem that follow. Jan Luiken and/or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) were responsible for its etching. The attendant scripture text is Proverbs 8:11-13. Motto: They’re drops from a spring, /That ends nor begins. Poem: Man desires to be beautiful /With diamond or ruby, /So that his wealth will be praised: /It would be better if he truly started, /To shine once like the sun, /That will be a different beauty. (Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).

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