https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Matsys

https://www.rct.uk/collection/405759/desiderius-erasmus-1466-1536

One ought to notice the shears hanging on a nail or hook on the bookshelf in the background. Presumably these would have been a primary tool for Erasmus' ars excerpendi practice.

Cross reference Lisa Jardine (1996) who calls out the purse on Erasmus' chest which identifies him as part of the merchant class.

Also cross reference Hans Holbein's portraits of Erasmus.