Illustratie voor de Decamerone van Boccaccio 1697

Romeyn de Hooghe created this illustration for Boccaccio's Decameron, a collection of novellas, during the Dutch Golden Age. The Netherlands was a hub of trade and cultural exchange; this illustration reflects both the opulence and the social hierarchies of the time. Notice how De Hooghe depicts the elite. The illustration is an interesting commentary on gender roles and class distinctions. We see a privileged couple on horseback, adorned in finery, a visual representation of the period's social stratification. The gaze of the woman is direct, engaging, while the man is looking to the side, as if watching over. Who is she watching? The people on foot are less defined, seemingly observing the riders. The choice of subject and the style in which it is rendered speaks to the values and interests of the Dutch Golden Age. The illustration offers a glimpse into the lives of the elite and the dynamics of power at play in 17th-century society.