Twee vrouwen en mannen in een paleistuin 1666

This etching, "Two Women and Men in a Palace Garden," was made by Abraham Dircksz. Santvoort in the Dutch Republic in the mid-17th century. The image contains two women, one being accosted by a soldier with a sword, another already prone on the ground. In the background is a formal garden and a statue of Diana, goddess of the hunt. It likely illustrates an episode from classical mythology or literature, filtered through the lens of the Dutch Golden Age. The Dutch Republic was then a major economic and cultural power. The art market boomed, and artists produced works for a broad range of buyers. Etchings like this one were relatively inexpensive and could be widely distributed. Santvoort and other artists catered to the tastes of their middle-class consumers, who had a taste for moralizing stories. To understand the narrative and significance of this image, scholars consult emblem books, classical texts, and social histories. The meaning of art is contingent on the cultural moment that produced it.