Blad uit De Lof der Zotheid 1780

Daniel Chodowiecki created this print, titled *Page from In Praise of Folly*, in 1780, using etching. It’s now held at the Rijksmuseum. Chodowiecki was a prominent artist in late 18th-century Germany, a period marked by the Enlightenment's challenge to traditional authority. Here, the artist presents scenes critiquing various forms of folly within society. From theological disputes to the dreams of the idle, Chodowiecki satirizes human failings through detailed, expressive figures. The print reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and its critique of superstition and irrationality. The scenes likely comment on the social structures of the time, questioning the established norms and behaviors within religious, social, and personal contexts. The artist challenges the institutions of his time through the politics of imagery. To fully understand this work, one can delve into the history of the Enlightenment, exploring the philosophical and social contexts that shaped Chodowiecki's artistic vision. The artist's other works can shed further light on his broader social commentary.