Optocht door de rederijkerskamer De Corenaren uit Katwijk-aan-de-Rijn (eerste deel), 1607 1607

This etching, titled "Procession of the Rhetoric Chamber De Corenaren from Katwijk-aan-de-Rijn," was made by an anonymous artist in 1607. It captures a moment of public life in the Netherlands during the early 17th century. The print depicts members of a rhetoric chamber, a kind of literary society common in the Low Countries at the time. These societies played a significant role in shaping public opinion and cultural identity. The figures are shown parading, complete with costumes, a flag, and weaponry, which speaks to the civic pride and social structures of the period. The artist's choice to depict this procession reflects the importance of communal expression and performance in Dutch society. Consider how the artist uses the procession to convey a sense of order and hierarchy. What can this tell us about the values of the society that produced and consumed this image? The etching offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people and the cultural institutions that shaped their world.