Tast 1655

Richard Gaywood created this undated engraving, "Tast," to explore ideas about sensory experience in seventeenth-century Europe. Images like this circulated widely as printed material became more accessible, playing a crucial role in shaping social values. Here, the act of touch is represented through courtly love, where a man kisses a woman's hand. The surrounding architecture, including the statues and formal gardens, suggests the scene takes place on a wealthy estate, reflecting the values of the elite class. The horses in the background serve as symbols of power and privilege, further reinforcing the hierarchical structure of society. Engravings like this one offer valuable insights into the cultural norms, artistic conventions, and social hierarchies of the time. Historians use period sources, such as etiquette manuals and estate inventories, to better understand these images. The meaning of art is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it’s made and viewed.