De lichtzinnige jeugd 1542 - 1546

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this print, "The Light-Minded Youth," sometime in the first half of the 16th century. It seems to be illustrating a proverb or a popular saying. The image is structured by a contrast between two figures. One, in the foreground, is richly dressed and gestures authoritatively, perhaps representing wisdom or experience. The other is a younger figure, wearing shackles, which may be a punishment for misdeeds, and seemingly trapped in a barren landscape. The faces in the clouds may represent fantasy, delusion, or perhaps even divine judgment. Anthonisz. was working in Amsterdam during a period of dramatic social change. Through the Reformation, the growth of trade, and the rise of a new merchant class, social institutions, and traditions were under pressure. So it is perhaps unsurprising that this image reflects on the values of the older generation. To understand the image better, we would need to research popular sayings of the period, examining archival sources or consulting early printed books and emblem books. Understanding art means understanding the social and institutional context in which it was made.