Taste 1640 - 1670

This print called "Taste" was made by an anonymous Dutch artist. It seems to date from the 17th century, a period when the Netherlands experienced a surge in artistic and economic prosperity. At first glance, we see an elegantly dressed couple and a monkey, alongside a winged cupid, with a scene of peasants outside a rural cottage. The title, "Taste," is a reference to sensual pleasure, but the image is a satirical allegory of social hierarchy. The fine clothes and amorous gestures of the central couple are undermined by the presence of the monkey, which invites questions about human behavior and its relationship to the animal world. In contrast, the working classes are relegated to the margins, as though separated from the enjoyments of taste. To fully understand this image, we need to consult sources from the period to understand the social function of satire and the politics of imagery.