De vijf zinne en vier dwazen, zullen uw verstand verbazen 1806 - 1830

This hand-colored etching, entitled ‘The five senses and four fools will astound your mind,’ was created by Johan Noman in the Netherlands, sometime before 1833. This image presents us with a fascinating window into the social and cultural landscape of the time. Each panel offers a glimpse into the understanding of human perception and folly. The cultural references are rooted in the traditions of Northern European printmaking. The text accompanying the images is written in early modern Dutch. As historians, we can look at how the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. What can we learn about the religious and social structures of the time? Does this etching critique the institutions of art? The Rijksmuseum's curatorial files, along with other primary source materials, can help us understand the context in which this artwork was created and its impact on contemporary viewers. We can reflect on the meaning of art as something contingent on its social and institutional context.