A sixteenth-century engraving by Cornelis Cort depicting the personification of Grammar instructing a child, part of a series on the Seven Liberal Arts.

This engraving, titled Grammatica, depicts the personification of Grammar as a seated woman instructing a young child. The work is part of a series representing the Seven Liberal Arts, designed by the Flemish artist Maerten de Vos and executed by the Dutch engraver Cornelis Cort. The composition follows the traditional iconographic approach to the subject, where Grammar is presented as the foundational discipline of education. The woman holds a pointer, guiding the child through the text, while the child stands before her, focused on the open book.

Technically, the print demonstrates the mastery of line work for which Cort was known. He utilised a system of hatching and cross-hatching to define the volume of the figures and the texture of their garments. The background includes a window view, a common device in Northern Renaissance prints to provide spatial depth. The presence of a hen and chicks in the lower left corner adds a domestic, nurturing element to the scene, reinforcing the theme of early education. The Latin inscription at the base of the print explains the role of Grammar as the bedrock for all other arts, providing the necessary structure for intellectual development.

Cornelis Cort was a significant figure in the history of printmaking, particularly for his time spent in Italy, where he adapted his style to replicate the monumental forms of Italian painters. This collaboration with Maerten de Vos reflects the exchange of artistic ideas between the Netherlands and the broader European tradition. The print is a clear example of the didactic function of art during the sixteenth century, where visual narratives were used to convey complex philosophical and educational concepts to a wider audience. The precision of the engraving ensures that every detail, from the folds of the drapery to the expressions of the figures, remains sharp and legible.