Optocht door de Vlaamse rederijkerskamer De Orange Lelie / De Witte Lelie uit Leiden (tweede deel), 1607 1607

Editor: This is a segment of a print from 1607, etched by an anonymous artist, titled *Parade by the Flemish Chamber of Rhetoric De Orange Lelie / De Witte Lelie from Leiden*. It feels like a frozen procession, almost like a tapestry. The figures, rendered in such detail despite the limitations of etching, appear solemn and staged. What exactly are we looking at? What are the symbolic clues hidden within? Curator: This "frozen procession" captures a specific moment in civic and cultural life. Notice the repeated motifs: the garlands, hats, and particular gestures. They weren't just decorative choices; they were loaded symbols recognizable to the contemporary viewer. Can you detect any specific objects or items that repeat, carrying, say, some political or ethical valence? Editor: Yes, everyone seems to be carrying or wearing a hat. Most also feature long necklaces with a cross or similar object at the bottom. Is it simply a statement of their wealth or social standing? Curator: Perhaps. It is a statement, certainly. These are people involved in rhetoric, persuasive speech, or the performance of such—important elements of civic and, yes, even religious, duty. Their hats might distinguish particular guilds, lodges, or schools of thought. The chains you noticed also reflect something about their social roles within a community, don't you think? Perhaps it's a sign of piety. Now, what does the combination of all these particular items and roles suggest? Editor: It is definitely more complex than I initially assumed. It's a record of a very specific social performance. It reminds me that objects have their own story to tell within an historical moment. Curator: Exactly. They condense and transmit collective values, reminding people of shared histories and identities. Always remember that! Editor: This has opened my eyes to the hidden layers of meaning in what seemed, at first glance, a simple parade! Curator: And hopefully it also shows us that "simple" and "parade" do not really belong in the same sentence when it comes to art.