Duitstalig gedicht 1640

This German poem was created by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger in the 17th century and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. Like many artworks, this poem can be seen as both reflecting and shaping the values of its time. In this case, the poem provides insight into the expectations placed on women of high social standing in 17th-century Germanic societies. The text emphasizes the importance of outward appearances and accomplishments. At the same time, the poem invites the reader to judge these women. But the text also cautions against hasty judgment, warning that superficial readings can be misleading. Van de Passe was part of a family of artists that produced prints, illustrations, and engravings for a broad public. By studying the content and circulation of their art, we can discover some of the socio-political and economic contexts of their time. Such cultural context can be found in libraries, archives, and digital repositories. Analyzing these resources helps us better understand the public role of art.