Titelprent voor 'La fausse Clelie histoire francoise, galante et comique.' van Adrien Thomas Perdou de Subligny 1672

This etching, made by Romeyn de Hooghe in the Netherlands in 1672, served as the title print for ‘La Fausse Clelie histoire francoise, galante et comique’ by Adrien Thomas Perdou de Subligny. What's fascinating about this image is how it encapsulates the social mores of its time. The artwork depicts an elegant couple in what appears to be a formal garden setting, surrounded by onlookers and classical statuary. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a burgeoning market for printed images, which served as a powerful medium for disseminating ideas and reflecting societal values. De Hooghe was a master of allegorical and satirical prints. His work often commented on the social structures of his time. He worked during a time when the Dutch Republic was a major center for trade and cultural exchange. This context likely influenced his artistic production. Delving into the history of books and publishing during this period, alongside an analysis of the artist’s wider body of work, helps us to understand the print’s original cultural significance. It also gives us a point of view from which to consider its continued relevance.