Floskaartjes 1767 - 1793

This is a sheet of Floskaartjes, or fortune telling cards, printed by Erven Hendrik van der Putte. Each card bears symbolic significance tied to social roles, like "Keyser," "Koning," and "Boer," revealing a microcosm of 17th-century Dutch society. These archetypes are not merely occupational; they are vessels of shared cultural narratives, echoing through time. Take the figure of the "Soldaet" or soldier, for instance. He is reminiscent of Mars, the god of war, yet the soldier's presence here, in a modest card, signals a democratization of martial power. This echoes in Renaissance prints where classical warriors become everyman heroes, reborn in contemporary garb. Such symbols tap into what I call the “social memory,” a subconscious reservoir of collective experiences. The images engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level; powerful forces that transcend mere representation. Each era imbues the symbol with new meaning, reflecting its own anxieties and aspirations. It’s a pendulum swing in the theater of history, influencing everything.