Gehoor 1650 - 1665

Richard Gaywood created this print, titled 'Gehoor' or 'Hearing,' around the mid-17th century. It’s a window into the sensory world of the Dutch Golden Age. The image presents a scene of musical entertainment within a well-appointed home. A man plays a theorbo, while two women listen, one seated at what appears to be a keyboard instrument. This intimate domestic setting contrasts with the pastoral scene visible through the window, suggesting a cultivated engagement with both art and nature. Consider the social conditions that made such scenes possible. The booming Dutch economy allowed for increased patronage of the arts. Prints like these were not just decorative; they were also a form of social currency, signaling one’s education, taste, and access to leisure. By looking into period inventories, musical scores, and social histories, we can better understand the role of art and music in shaping the identities and social interactions of the Dutch elite. This print, therefore, is more than just an image; it's a historical document.