Plate 1700 - 1715

This plate was created by Dammas Hofdijck in the 18th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major center for trade and cultural exchange, factors which influenced the art produced. The pastoral scene painted on this plate serves as a window into Dutch society, depicting figures in what seems to be a moment of leisure. But for whom was this leisure intended? This idyllic scene and the coat of arms at the top may conceal a more complex narrative about social class and hierarchy. Imagine the hands that crafted this piece, and the hands that later dined from it. It invites us to consider how everyday objects can reflect both personal narratives and broader societal structures, subtly encoding stories of power, identity, and social status within their form.