Jongeman met een hoed met brede rand 1630 - 1700

Godfried Schalcken made this etching of a young man with a wide-brimmed hat sometime in the late 17th century. The Netherlands were a major center for printmaking at this time, and etchings like this one were often made to be sold to collectors. But this etching is more than just a commercial product, it also reflects the changing social status of artists in the Netherlands during this period. As the art market grew, artists like Schalcken became more independent and less reliant on traditional patronage. This etching, with its informal and intimate portrait of a young man, reflects this new sense of artistic freedom. The Rijksmuseum, where this etching is now housed, is an institution that plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of Dutch art. By collecting and displaying works like this one, the museum helps to define the canon of Dutch art and to promote a particular view of Dutch history and culture. To further contextualize this work, one could research Dutch fashion of the time, read the artist's biography, or study art market trends in the Netherlands.