Element lucht als kind dat bellen blaast op wolk 1648 - 1706

This engraving, titled 'Element lucht als kind dat bellen blaast op wolk', was made by an anonymous artist. At first glance, this seems to be a simple depiction of a child playing with bubbles on a cloud. But consider the cultural context: the Netherlands, a maritime nation in which there was an intimate relationship with the sea. The sea was the lifeblood of their economy and their society. Bubbles, however, are fragile and ephemeral. They represent not only the element of air, but also the fleeting nature of life, and perhaps, even of their prosperity. Are we meant to ponder on the transience of human achievements? The cloud may also refer to the “impalpable mists of earthly fame and glory.” Understanding this image requires a historian to delve into period literature and social history. It is not only a pretty picture, but a commentary on the human condition, as it was perceived in a particular time and place.