Lege cartouche met een rand van rol- en beslagwerk met schrijfattributen c. 1571s

Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum created this ornamental cartouche, a decorative frame, using etching. These frames were often used for calligraphy or important documents. The frame is adorned with female figures holding scales, scrolls, quills, and other scholarly objects. In the context of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by burgeoning trade and intellectual curiosity, the frame symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and the celebration of human achievement. The abundance of classical motifs suggests an era where humanism flourished, and where the rediscovery of classical texts and values shaped European thought. The ornamental frame reflects the intertwined nature of power, knowledge, and gender. While knowledge was celebrated, access to it was often determined by social hierarchies. Who was allowed to write, to learn, to participate in the creation of knowledge? This cartouche invites us to reflect on the emotional experience of engaging with art, and how societal values influenced artistic expressions.