Fragment van een geldbuidel c. 1590 - 1596

Editor: This object is called "Fragment van een geldbuidel," or Fragment of a purse, made by an anonymous artist around 1590 to 1596. It's on display here at the Rijksmuseum, made from metal, like iron perhaps. The folds remind me of an accordion, but also something quite ruined and deteriorated. What historical weight do you think it carries? Curator: Considering this fragment, it invites reflection on the relationship between personal wealth and its representation within the social structures of the late 16th century. Pouches such as this would have been commonplace, yet also signals affluence. What statements do such common and utilitarian items suggest about their owners and class status, if preserved over the centuries? Editor: That’s a really interesting way to think about it – I initially just saw a fragment, some decay. But thinking about it as an indicator of wealth makes it really meaningful. How would the pouch's visibility impacted it's message in the public eye at that time? Curator: Precisely, such items were not only functional, but communicated specific signals about identity, moral status, and cultural affiliation. Were it prominently displayed, say on a belt or in view on a table, or carefully secured? These considerations reveal what visual strategies this period had available to project the self through commodities and economic class. Editor: So, it’s a common object, but tells a story about the relationship between the individual and society’s perception of wealth. Curator: Absolutely, and examining such objects challenges traditional art historical boundaries and the conventional value assigned to fine art, offering a different lens on the narratives presented within institutions like the Rijksmuseum. What seems "common" can tell volumes about political climates. Editor: That has really reframed how I see this object! I’ll remember that for future artworks. Thanks so much!