Welkomstspel van De Violieren, 1561 1561 - 1562

This is the title page from “Welkomstspel van De Violieren,” made in Antwerp in 1561 by an anonymous artist. It announces a dramatic competition put on by the Guild of Saint Luke, or the Violieren, Antwerp’s famed chamber of rhetoric. The image on the title page gives us several clues about the cultural values of this institution. Civic pride is a major theme. The elaborate frame depicts local flora and fauna, connecting the guild to the natural world of the region. In the center, we see the coat-of-arms of Antwerp. These symbols suggest that the Violieren saw themselves as defenders of the city’s traditions and promoters of its unique character. To fully understand the Violieren, one could consult the guild’s archives, city records, and contemporary accounts of dramatic performances in Antwerp. This would reveal the extent to which artistic expression was intertwined with local politics and commerce.