Willemynken praat tegen papegaai en grote vogel poept op haar hoofd 1590 - 1627

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this print, “Willemynken talking to a parrot as a large bird poops on her head” sometime in the 17th century. This comical scene reflects a Dutch fascination with the everyday, but also the way in which popular imagery can serve moralizing ends. Here, we see a woman, likely a simpleton, attempting to converse with a caged parrot, while a larger bird defecates on her head - a rather crude joke. Such images, circulated widely in the Netherlands, played a role in shaping social norms. They both entertained and subtly policed behavior, reinforcing ideas about intelligence, decorum, and social standing. It is also important to acknowledge how the print industry, with its reliance on workshops, apprenticeships, and networks of distribution, shaped artistic production during this period. Art historians consult a range of sources - from period writings and economic data to the prints themselves - to better understand the social dynamics of the time. By considering these factors, we can gain insight into the complex interplay between art, society, and the formation of cultural values.