Elegant paar in Engelse kleding 1610 - 1638

Curator: Standing before us is "Elegant paar in Engelse kleding," or "Elegant Couple in English Clothing," an engraving by Cornelis van Kittensteyn, dating from around 1610 to 1638. It's part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: Well, my first impression is that they seem utterly ridiculous, but charmingly so! Those hats! They remind me of chimneys. And the gentleman’s trousers… almost cartoonishly puffy. Curator: Indeed! It's interesting how fashion could be so declarative. Kittensteyn, active during the Dutch Golden Age, was known for capturing these glimpses of societal trends and influences. The "English clothing" designation here suggests a fascination, perhaps even an aspirational nod, towards English style at the time. These engravings circulated widely, acting almost like fashion plates. Editor: Right, a Baroque style influencer before influencers were a thing! Thinking about the wider context, could it suggest a cultural dialogue—maybe friendly rivalry or satire—between the Netherlands and England through what they chose to wear? Curator: Precisely! Engravings like these allow us to see beyond grand historical narratives. We glimpse everyday lives and sartorial politics. The garden setting, complete with a lion-headed fountain, provides another layer, hinting at wealth and leisure. Editor: That fountain seems rather like they raided someone’s living room and slapped a spout on top. As for the figures, I wonder what their story is—are they lovers, siblings, posing stiffly or are they just tolerating each other's existence while someone sketches their outrageous finery? Curator: Your speculation gets to the heart of it. The beauty of genre painting lies in its ambiguity, and the social relations they depicted became highly symbolic. Did this aesthetic flatten cultural divides or exacerbate them? I also admire how Kittensteyn’s burin creates texture through carefully calibrated linework. Editor: It truly renders those ruffs with loving care. Despite the detail and precision, there’s a liveliness that elevates the piece beyond mere documentation. Well, I suppose it reminds us that fashion, then and now, often provokes strong reactions. Curator: Exactly, and the choices we make about clothing reflect so much about individual and collective identity. Kittensteyn encourages us to consider how these factors shaped 17th-century Dutch society.