Vioolspeler / Gehoor 1638 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher made this print, titled “Violin Player / Hearing,” in the Netherlands in the mid-17th century. It depicts a group of men gathered in a tavern, with one playing the violin. It is from a series representing the five senses. The image is full of visual codes related to social class and behavior. Taverns in the Netherlands were public spaces where people from different social classes could come together to drink, play games, and listen to music. Such settings were often associated with debauchery, as we can see in the faces of the men, or the jug of alcohol at the bottom of the image. The print offers a glimpse into the everyday lives and leisure activities of ordinary people. To understand it better, we can look into the social and cultural history of the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, where the art market was booming. The Rijksmuseum's collection can offer further insights into the period’s visual culture. This print reminds us that art is embedded in a particular social and institutional context, and understanding that context is essential to understanding the art itself.