Allegorische titelprent voor Vondels Palamedes, 1625 1623 - 1625

Editor: This engraving, “Allegorische titelprent voor Vondels Palamedes, 1625,” made by Salomon Savery around 1623 to 1625, shows a scene packed with figures – humans, animals, monsters – all under the gaze of a central, regal figure. The overall feeling I get is one of societal struggle, maybe even injustice. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: The print is a great example of how materials were mobilized in service of early modern political discourse. Engravings, like this one, were relatively inexpensive to produce, meaning Vondel’s play and its critique of the Dutch legal system could reach a broad audience. Consider the labour involved: the engraver, the printer, the paper makers… it's a complex web of production. Editor: That's fascinating, thinking about the physical creation as a form of accessibility. The lines are so fine, almost delicate given the heavy subject matter. Curator: Exactly! Look at the inscription: "Het ongediert begrimt met open muijl," it is not simply about 'justice', but also how concepts like 'beastly behavior' were constructed and consumed within early modern Dutch society. This piece participates in and comments on that consumption. Think of the woodblocks used for creating playing cards, and compare their labor costs. The scale is very different, implying different goals. Editor: So it is more than just aesthetics, and touches on a larger purpose in the production, distribution, and cost. It makes me appreciate the artistry of how a simple image created by printing could stir debate, maybe even dissent, on that type of scale. Curator: Indeed, and it gives us a lot to ponder in regards to the meaning that is found outside the pure representation of that figure of Justice.