XIX Ignari legum sic 1614

This engraving by Roemer Visscher, dating back to around 1600, depicts a dog and appears within a book. The image and accompanying text point to the social and cultural values of the Dutch Republic at the time. The phrase "Ignari legum sic" translates to "Thus are those ignorant of the law." The illustration alongside it depicts a dog in restraints, perhaps alluding to the idea that those who are ignorant of the law are similarly bound or restricted. During this era, the Dutch Republic was establishing its own legal and social norms, and the relationship between the individual and the law was a prominent concern. This image may critique the institutions of law, suggesting that they can be restrictive or oppressive for those who do not understand them. To fully understand its meaning, we can consider the Dutch Republic's history and the social dynamics of the time through archival research and literary analysis.