Maart 1633 - 1643

Denis Boutemie created this print, titled 'Maart', using etching techniques. 'Maart' presents us with a grotesque figure, a chimera seemingly cobbled together from various animal parts. These kinds of images emerged in the Netherlands around the 17th century, a period marked by significant social and political upheaval. The Dutch Republic was asserting its independence against Spanish rule, accompanied by religious conflicts and burgeoning mercantile capitalism. In this context, the image of the grotesque can be seen as a visual expression of social anxieties and the disruption of traditional order. By employing a visual language of the monstrous, Boutemie critiques established norms and imagines alternative social configurations. To truly understand the implications of Boutemie’s work, scholars consult a wide array of historical texts, political pamphlets, and visual culture. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to fully grasp the social role and political charge of art.