Van Zorobabel ende sijn Raetsel 1646

This is a page from Jan Philipsz Schabaelje’s “Van Zorobabel ende sijn Raetsel”, made in the Netherlands sometime before 1656, using letterpress printing. It considers how the figure of Zorobabel, governor of Persia, was the subject of a riddle. The artwork operates as a form of commentary on social and political structures, highlighting the influence of those who challenge authority with words and wisdom. It seems to ask, what is the power of language and how does that power shape social conditions? The reference to Zorobabel situates the work in relation to classical antiquity and the bible, presenting wisdom as a form of power in those contexts. Moreover, in the 17th century, the book was a site of intellectual and social debate in the Netherlands. This image critiques the institutions of its time, promoting the power of the individual mind. As historians, we can gain a deeper understanding of this artwork by studying the history of printing, and the cultural history of 17th century Netherlands. We can reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.