Bovenkant van de rand van de Grote Hagen (rechterblad) 1675

Christiaan Hagen created this print, "Bovenkant van de rand van de Grote Hagen (rechterblad)", sometime between 1655 and 1707, with an unknown medium. Hagen’s detailed print of two family crests offers a glimpse into the social and political structures of 17th-century Netherlands, a period marked by significant economic and cultural shifts. Each crest, elaborately adorned, speaks to the importance of lineage and status in Dutch society. The symbols chosen—an anchor, birds, and a deer—aren’t merely decorative, they offer clues to the identities and aspirations of the families they represent. Hagen was not only an artist, but also a notary, a profession deeply entwined with the legal and social fabric of his time. His familiarity with the intricacies of family histories likely influenced the creation of this print. How does Hagen's meticulous depiction of these crests reflect the values and power dynamics of the Dutch Golden Age?