Twee mannen met bagage 1596 - 1630

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print of two men with baggage sometime in the early 17th century. The inscription "Mauri Granadenses" suggests they are intended to represent Moriscos, Spanish Muslims who were expelled from the country between 1609 and 1614. This image gives us a glimpse into the complex social and political landscape of the time. Spain, a dominant power in Europe, had a long history of religious and cultural conflict. The expulsion of the Moriscos was a culmination of this tension, reflecting both religious intolerance and anxieties about national identity. Visscher, working in the Netherlands, a region known for its burgeoning print culture, would have been aware of these events. Prints like this one served as a form of news dissemination, shaping public opinion and contributing to the construction of stereotypes. To understand this print fully, we need to delve into the historical archives, examining the social and political climate of both Spain and the Netherlands. By doing so, we can appreciate how art reflects and shapes our understanding of the past.