Nederlandstalig gedicht op de Nimfen van de Amstel, pagina 8 1640

This is page eight of a Dutch poem dedicated to the nymphs of the Amstel, made by Crispijn van de Passe II sometime before 1670. Van de Passe worked during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense economic and cultural flourishing for the Netherlands, but also a time of strict social hierarchies. The poem praises the virtues and beauty of the Amstel nymphs, intertwining classical mythology with local pride. It speaks to the cultural values of the time, including the importance of female virtue and artistic skill. The poem elevates these women, associating them with goddesses and highlighting their contributions to society. The poem constructs an image of femininity closely tied to the roles and expectations of women in 17th-century Dutch society. The choice to write in Dutch, rather than Latin, suggests a desire to connect with a broader audience and celebrate local identity, while the classical references situate Dutch culture within a wider European context. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of both local and universal ideals of beauty, virtue, and artistic achievement.