Lêer:Rhetoric-enthroned-invitation-antwerp-landjuweel-1561.jpg

English: This allegorical woodcut shows Rhetoric enthroned between Prudence and Invention. The image topped a 1561 invitation from De Violieren (the leading Antwerp guild or "Chamber" of Rhetoric), sent to thirteen other chambers. The event was a Landjuweel, a prestigious and popular type of regional arts festival in the Low Countries. Chambers would design and produce public performances, competing with each other for prizes and reputation, in a manner similar to pageants and festivals produced by guilds and confraternities elsewhere in Europe.

The well-documented 1561 Landjuweel in Antwerp was perhaps the most extravagant. Fourteen groups of Rederijkers (Rhetoriticians) took part over a period of 19 days, producing plays, processions, tableaux, and poems in answer to the question: What best awakens man to the arts? The works emphasized Rhetoric and the other Liberal Arts along with Christian piety and corporate sponsorship. Methods employed were allegorical figures, parallels with the natural world, and scriptural allusions. The common tone was that of the esbatement, a short, amusing morality play, and humor was an important element of judging, along with moral persuasion. Jan Steen repeatedly depicted the rhetoriticians' combination of sincere intent and frivolous activities.

The virtues PAX, CHARITAS, and RATIO are approaching from the direction of a heavenly light, while the vices IRA, INVIDIA, and DISCORDIA are proceeding toward an infernal darkness. The arms of Philip II are on the left; those of Margraviate of Antwerp are on the right. Before the pedestal are the arms of Melchior Sketch, that of the Guild of St. Luke (held by his emblematic ox), and that of Antoon Rays, Lord of Merksem. Also shown is the motto of De Violieren, Wt ionsten versaemt ("gathered together in a spirit of goodwill"), which is suggested by the allegory.