April: man en vrouw in Franse kleding ca. 1615-'20 1615 - 1625

Editor: So, here we have "April: man en vrouw in Franse kleding ca. 1615-'20," an engraving by Crispijn van de Passe the Second, created sometime between 1615 and 1625. Looking at it, I'm immediately struck by the somewhat rigid formality of the figures, and then a wry humor about how ridiculously opulent their clothes seem. What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: It strikes me as a fascinating fashion plate, but more than that, it’s like a snapshot of a particular aspiration. Look at them, posed so deliberately in their French finery! The landscape behind them, the slightly awkward gestures...it all hints at a story. Do you think they’re entirely comfortable in these get-ups? Editor: I'm guessing they are new money flaunting what they have. Do you think this sort of genre scene had a particular audience or purpose back then? Curator: Absolutely! Prints like these circulated widely. They served as both fashion guides and a kind of aspirational fantasy. It was a bit of advertising, and a window into the lives—or rather, the *desired* lives—of the burgeoning middle class. Notice how the artist meticulously renders every detail of their clothing, almost as if to say, "Here's how you can be just like them." But maybe with just a *touch* more grace! Editor: Ah, I see it now. It is like Instagram for the 17th century! This engraving provides an intriguing view into the past. Curator: Exactly! It is like stepping into a time capsule – a fleeting glimpse of a specific slice of history through the lens of fashion. I wonder what we will leave behind to define ourselves?