Fragmenten van prenten met wereldlijke en geestelijke klederdrachten 1581 - 1596

Abraham de Bruyn produced these fragments of prints depicting worldly and spiritual garments sometime before his death in 1587. In them, we catch glimpses of the clothing worn by various social classes and religious figures. Made in the Netherlands, these images offer a window into the rigid social hierarchies of the time. Dress codes were strictly enforced, signaling one's status and allegiance. De Bruyn's work, while seemingly documenting fashion, subtly comments on the visible markers of social stratification. The inclusion of both secular and religious attire underscores the intertwined nature of church and state in the 16th century. To fully grasp the significance of De Bruyn's prints, researchers delve into period costume books, social etiquette guides, and church records. Through them, we see how art is not just aesthetic, but deeply embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its creation. The historian's task is to uncover these layers, revealing the complex dialogue between art and society.