Fricasso, Mezzetino en Franca Trippa 1668 - 1707

This print at the Rijksmuseum is by Anthonie de Winter. Its lines create a frieze-like composition of three costumed figures, each a distinct character identified by name. The formal arrangement here suggests a critical observation about societal roles through the lens of performance. Note how the artist employs line to define each character’s exaggerated attire and posture, imbuing them with a sense of theatricality. The stark contrast between the figures and the blank space accentuates their artificiality, prompting us to consider how identity is constructed through external appearance. De Winter subtly challenges conventional notions of social hierarchy, hinting that beneath the surface, roles are fluid and identities are performed. The artist invites us to question the authenticity of social roles.