Smaak 1590 - 1632

Pieter de Jode I created this engraving called ‘Smaak’ – or ‘Taste’ - in the Netherlands, probably in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image speaks to the role of the senses within a culture of growing wealth and consumption. The scene depicts an allegorical representation of taste with classical figures surrounded by symbols of luxury and abundance. In the background, we see people indulging in a feast, perhaps a commentary on the excesses of the time. The composition and style reflect the influence of Italian Renaissance art, which was highly fashionable in the Netherlands at the time. The print was produced during a period of significant economic and cultural change in the Netherlands, which was becoming a major center for trade and art. The Rijksmuseum’s archives might reveal details of how an image like this circulated in the art market, and what audiences made of its visual codes. The work seems progressive in its critical stance towards gluttony. Studying prints like this in relation to their historical and social context helps us understand the values and beliefs of the time, and the complex relationship between art and society.