Rechthoekige cartouche met een vrouw op een voetstuk 1565 - 1571

This rectangular cartouche showing a woman on a pedestal was made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum. What we see here is a highly stylized composition; this cartouche provides a window into the visual culture of the Northern Renaissance and its social function. Cartouches such as this were often used in printmaking as ornamental frames for maps, documents, or other images. Their purpose was to enhance the visual appeal and convey symbolic meaning. This artwork, likely created in the Netherlands during the 16th or 17th century, reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity, as well as the importance of civic virtue. The statue of a woman represents idealized virtues like Justice or Liberty. The surrounding ornamentation, including mythological figures and heraldic symbols, speaks to the importance of family lineage, civic pride, and social status in Dutch society. The historian's job is to investigate the social context in which such prints were produced and consumed. By consulting archival sources, emblem books, and period texts, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the role of art in shaping social identities and cultural values during this period.