De loterij van Henricus van Soest te Antwerpen, 1695 1695

This etching by Gaspar Bouttats, created around 1695, presents the lottery of Henricus van Soest in Antwerp. Immediately, the viewer’s eye is drawn to the perspectival composition and the textural detail achieved through fine, linear strokes. The space is crowded and full of activity, yet meticulously organised. The engraving employs a formal structure typical of its time but also hints at new attitudes toward representation. The use of linear perspective creates a sense of depth, drawing the viewer into the scene, a theatrical display of wealth and chance. The figures, rendered with careful attention to costume and pose, are arranged across the foreground. Bouttats' print offers a glimpse into the cultural codes of the late 17th century. This etching is not just a record of an event but an insight into the era's values and visual language. It challenges the fixity of meaning, inviting us to reconsider how we engage with art as an ongoing dialogue between past and present.