Tastzin 1600 - 1676

This engraving called 'Tastzin' was made by an anonymous artist. It is now held at the Rijksmuseum. Here, the artist encapsulates the sense of touch through the allegorical figure of a woman, elegantly adorned and set against a landscape backdrop. The cultural context of this piece is rooted in the 17th century, a time when the Netherlands experienced a surge of interest in scientific and philosophical explorations of human sensory perception. This image may have ties to the rise of empirical science and the questioning of traditional knowledge. What is most striking is how the artist uses visual codes, such as the inclusion of a monkey—often associated with base instincts—or the delicate handling of the bird. These create meaning. The fact that the artist has chosen to represent 'touch' through a woman, in a period when gender roles were highly defined, opens up a fascinating line of inquiry. By delving into historical texts, emblem books, and scientific treatises of the period, we can uncover the rich layers of meaning embedded within this seemingly straightforward depiction. It provides insights into the social and institutional history of the era.