Omlijsting met putti rondom menu 1864

This menu, framed with putti, was designed by Charles Rochussen in Amsterdam. Rochussen was a Dutch painter, illustrator, and printmaker, active during a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands. The image presents a classical allegory within the context of 19th-century Dutch society. The putti, or cherubic figures, evoke a sense of innocence, and they are set against a backdrop of abundance, with a menu promising a lavish meal. But look closer, and you might wonder about the implied labor and class divisions necessary to produce such luxury. Who had access to this meal? The scene may initially charm us, but it simultaneously reveals the complexities of wealth, taste, and social status during the Dutch Golden Age. The emotional appeal of the putti contrasts with the economic realities of the time. Rochussen, through this menu design, invites us to consider the intersection of art, society, and the everyday experiences of those who lived it.