Orpheus betovert de dieren met zijn muziek c. 1636 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe II created this engraving, “Orpheus enchanting the animals with his music,” around the middle of the 17th century in the Netherlands. Here, Orpheus is depicted not with his traditional lyre, but with a violin, a modern instrument for the time, surrounded by an idyllic landscape of animals. The tale of Orpheus charming animals and even moving trees and stones with his music, had long been a popular theme in art and literature. This particular take on the myth reflects the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age, a time of economic prosperity and artistic flourishing in the Netherlands. The rise of a wealthy merchant class fueled the demand for art that celebrated harmony, order, and the power of human creativity. We can better understand the cultural context of this engraving by exploring period literature, musical scores, and historical accounts of Dutch society during the Golden Age. By understanding how art reflects and shapes society we can gain a fuller appreciation of the enduring appeal of the Orpheus myth.