XXX Dat zijn de treecken 1614

This engraving by Roemer Visscher, titled 'XXX Dat zijn de treecken' meaning 'Those are the tricks', comes from a book of emblems published in the Netherlands around the turn of the 17th century. The image depicts two monkeys seemingly up to no good. Accompanied by text in Dutch and Latin, Visscher uses this image to critique the social behaviours of his time. It's a commentary on appearances versus reality, and perhaps, a cynical view of social mobility. The Latin quote from Cicero reminds us that it is against nature and reason to increase our wealth at the expense of others. Visscher implies that the world is so corrupt, that outward appearances are more important than truth and honesty. To fully appreciate Visscher's message, one must consider the social and economic context of the Dutch Golden Age. The rise of merchant capitalism was rapidly changing social structures, and this emblem offers a critical perspective on those changes. You can explore the social and economic history of the Netherlands in the Rijksmuseum library.