Man Making an Obscene Gesture
by SCHALCKEN, Godfried, Etching
The grinning man in old-fashioned clothing, depicted in this etching, makes the gesture known at that time as “the fig”: the thumb is placed between the forefingers in mock imitation of coitus. The etching is inscribed “Quam meminisse invat” (Memories are such a delight), a reference to his fondest sexual liaisons.