Titelprent met een man en vrouw aan weerszijden van een wapenschild met festoenen 1610 - 1668

This is an anonymous print depicting a title page, and it presents a man and woman flanking a coat-of-arms adorned with garlands. Prints like this one offer a glimpse into the gendered ideals of the time. The figures, rendered in classical garb, embody strength and virtue, but their roles are distinct. The man, armed and vigilant, represents power, while the woman symbolizes grace and beauty, which frames the gender dynamics of 17th-century European society. What is really interesting here is how this piece commemorates a royal wedding, and in doing so, upholds the importance of lineage, power, and tradition. The inscription dedicates the work to a high-ranking military official, underscoring the intertwining of art, politics, and patronage during this period. It's a dance between personal identity, public image, and societal expectations. The print invites us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about power, gender, and the rituals that bind us together.