XXXIII Vlyen weet wat 1614

Editor: This is "XXXIII Vlyen weet wat" from 1614, a print on paper by Roemer Visscher, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The imagery is striking – it’s an odd composition, quite graphic. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: As a historian, I immediately look at the social function of prints during the Dutch Golden Age. The prevalence of printed matter – books, broadsides, and in this case, emblem books like this one – signals a broadening public sphere. Do you notice how text and image work together here? Editor: Yes, the image seems to illustrate the text, or perhaps it’s the other way around? The text does add a lot of information to the picture that alone doesn’t tell a story. Curator: Exactly. The emblem book was a popular genre, combining image and text to convey moral or political lessons. This one comes from a book called "Sinnepoppen" - roughly translated "symbols." Look at the posture in the image – awkward, strained. Given the Dutch context, consider ideas of moralizing, self-governance, and societal harmony. Editor: I see it now, the twist is that "Vlyen weet wat" (flattery knows what) the hands and rope tell the whole story if you connect them in this context. Curator: Precisely! These emblems weren't just aesthetic objects; they participated in shaping public opinion and reinforcing certain social norms. Where do you think this would have been displayed or consumed? Editor: Perhaps within homes, used for didactic purposes? A reminder about the dangers of flattery within social relationships, used at different educational stages perhaps? Curator: Very insightful. So, the next time we consider early modern prints, let's also think about its impact on a growing society with its new public image that also helps shape opinions and behaviours. Editor: Thanks! That helps connect the dots between the image, its creation, and the role it played at the time. I'll definitely look at prints differently now.