Het gebruik van brillen 1696

Editor: Here we have Gommarus Wouters’s “The Use of Spectacles,” an engraving from 1696. The mood seems quite satirical, a little absurd even. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: Well, first we see the engraving as a commodity, available and disseminated amongst the educated bourgeoisie in 17th century Netherlands. The political implications become apparent; in Holland during this period, literacy was valued amongst its citizens as the Dutch republic prided itself on learning. What message does the artist try to convey through the act of reading? Editor: It does seem that way, everyone is interacting around books and eyeglasses in very specific roles. Can you expand on that? Curator: We must recognize the use of perspective and the positioning of these figures in order to fully understand its socio-political narrative. Consider, what kind of a statement would an artwork like this make on literacy, class, and perception at the time? Editor: So you're saying that the chaotic and humorous presentation may actually highlight literacy and intelligence as social currency at the time. It's not just a funny picture. Curator: Exactly. This challenges how we view the accessibility and impact of art during this period and who had the means to own it. What about the text in the bottom, and how does that affect our modern-day perception? Editor: "Ochiali è lor uso." is a perfect summary: spectacles, or glasses, are for their use. Curator: Precisely! It's fascinating to consider the subtle political nuances conveyed through such commonplace subjects in this engraving, particularly how social history informs our understanding of everyday objects in art. Editor: I'll certainly think about that when looking at other works from this era, too. There's more than meets the eye.