Nieuw Luylekkerland 1765 - 1767

This print, titled "Nieuw Luylekkerland," was created by the widow Hendrik van der Putte. It's an intriguing composition of twenty-four small, framed scenes arranged in a grid. Each vignette, rendered with delicate lines and subtle color washes, captures an episode of leisure and abundance. The overall structure of the print uses a semiotic system of signs to interpret the visual components. Each cell operates as a microcosm, filled with figures engaged in activities like eating, drinking, and relaxing. The scenes, however, destabilize established meanings through their exaggeration of enjoyment to the point of absurdity, inviting us to question conventional values associated with work and productivity. The repetition of forms—the rounded figures, the arched trees, the laden tables—creates a rhythm, a sense of continuous revelry. The artist uses this formal quality to create an engaging visual experience as part of a larger cultural discourse of pleasure.