Twee vrouwen en twee mannen, gekleed volgens de mode in Vlaanderen, ca. 1580

Around 1580, Abraham de Bruyn created this print of two women and two men, all attired in the fashionable clothing of Flanders. The image's meaning lies in the social codes it presents. Flanders at this time was a society where clothing denoted social status. Sumptuary laws were in place to regulate what different social classes could wear, reinforcing the rigid social hierarchy. De Bruyn’s image, therefore, isn’t just a depiction of fashionable clothes; it’s a visual representation of the social order. The clothing features like the elaborate ruffs, puffed sleeves, and wide skirts required significant resources to produce and maintain, signaling the wealth and status of the wearers. Historical documents, such as city records, guild regulations, and personal letters, can provide further insight into the social context of this image. By exploring these sources, we can better understand how clothing functioned as a visual language in 16th-century Flanders, reflecting and reinforcing social structures.