Collage van uitgeknipte prenten geplakt op albumblad van blauw papier c. 1585 - 1700

This collage of cut-out prints on blue paper, assembled by various makers, presents a fascinating array of images. It invites us to consider the social function of prints in the past. Composed of diverse visual elements, the collage includes depictions of flora and fauna, hunting scenes, and decorative patterns, all characteristic of European printmaking. Although undated, its style points towards a time when print collecting was a popular pastime among the well-to-do. Bound into albums, prints served as both decoration and a means of acquiring knowledge. This particular collage can be viewed as a window into the world of collecting and display, reflecting a desire to organize and make sense of the world through images. By studying collections like these, and consulting period sources, historians can piece together a more complete understanding of the cultural values of the time. The meaning of art, as this collage suggests, is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is made and received.