Apollo en de Muzen 1726

Clemens Nachtegaal created this image of Apollo and the Muses as an engraving, somewhere around the early 18th century. Here we see the classical world of art and literature celebrated as a world of harmonious community. The image gives visual form to a common perception of artistic creation, encouraged by the institutions of art. The work was made in Rotterdam, during the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. The presence of classical motifs and themes suggests the enduring influence of classical education and the desire to connect with a prestigious artistic past. Yet, we see a more accessible format; that of popular literature, which could have been linked to the rise of the middle class and growing literacy. Understanding the image means investigating the society in which the artist operated, tracing his affiliations, and exploring the cultural institutions that gave shape to his work. Approaching the image in its social and historical context helps us better understand it.