Gezang in twee talen, pagina 2 1640

This is ‘Gezang in twee talen, pagina 2,’ a songbook page made around 1600 by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, using engraving. The book presents a song in two languages, French and Dutch. It offers a window into the cultural milieu of the time. The choice of languages reflects the social dynamics of the Dutch Republic, where French was the language of the court and diplomacy, while Dutch was the language of the common people. The lyrics describe women adorned in fashionable attire, with emphasis on their appearance and elegance. This focus on fashion and beauty points to a culture of status and display. The imagery creates meaning through cultural references to clothing styles and social customs. To understand this work better, historians might study fashion trends of the era, looking at costume books and portraits. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on understanding the social and institutional context of the Dutch Republic in the early 17th century.