LVI 'T vertroude trouwelijck 1614

Roemer Visscher created this emblem print, titled 'T vertroude trouwelijck', which translates to 'trust in good faith', around the turn of the 17th century in the Netherlands, using etching. During this era, the Dutch Republic was experiencing a golden age of trade, science, and art, though still marked by religious and political conflict. Visscher's emblem book, from which this print originates, reflects these times through a series of moral and philosophical reflections. The image of a large key dominating a landscape speaks to the safekeeping of secrets and the importance of trust. The accompanying text reinforces this idea, suggesting that secrets and treasures should be guarded faithfully. Here, the key does not merely unlock a physical space but opens up the more abstract realms of confidence, discretion, and power. Who holds the key and who is locked out? In a society undergoing rapid transformation, Visscher underscores the enduring value of trust. It reminds us of the personal responsibility involved in maintaining social bonds and navigating a world of shifting alliances.