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

This collage of cut prints pasted on blue paper was created by various makers and resides in the Rijksmuseum. The assemblage of images, ranging from mythical sea creatures to cherubic figures armed with bows and arrows, presents a fascinating glimpse into the visual culture of its time. These images speak to a world steeped in allegory and classical reference, where identity was often constructed through symbolic representation. The juxtaposition of these disparate images invites us to reflect on the stories they might tell, and what narratives emerge from this seemingly random collection. There's a whimsical, almost dreamlike quality to the work, as if it were a personal cabinet of curiosities rendered in print. It is an emotional pastiche reflecting the sensibilities of its time while perhaps hinting at the personal inclinations of its creator.