Kan in vorm van een slakkenhuis, in het oor zit een vrouw 1548

Balthazar van den Bos created this engraving of a snail-shell shaped ewer in the 16th century, an era when art was deeply intertwined with social status and the rise of a wealthy merchant class. The image presents a complex array of classical motifs and mythological figures that speaks to the cultural aspirations of its time. The inclusion of nudes, satyrs, and sea monsters, along with the perfect proportions of the figures, reveals the influence of classical antiquity and the Renaissance on Northern European art. This engraving not only showcases the artist's technical skill but also reflects a society where luxury and artistry were increasingly valued as symbols of power and refinement. To fully appreciate this work, we can research the socio-economic conditions of 16th-century Netherlands, looking at the patronage networks and artistic academies that shaped artists like Balthazar van den Bos. These kinds of sources help us understand the public role of art during the Renaissance and the social conditions that shaped artistic production.