Cadmus doodt de draak 1682

This print, made by Gerard de Lairesse, depicts Cadmus slaying the dragon. Made in the Netherlands, this print reproduces imagery from Jean-Baptiste Lully's opera 'Cadmus et Hermione,' performed in Paris for Louis XIV's court. The opera's themes – conquest, transformation, and the establishment of a new order – resonated with Louis's aspirations for France. The combination of music and theatre was a tool of statecraft, used to project an image of power and cultural authority. It's interesting to note that this print, celebrating French courtly culture, was made in Amsterdam. Perhaps this print served to connect Dutch society to the cultural prestige of the French court. Understanding such an artwork requires us to consult resources like performance records, court documents, and musical scores. Only then can we appreciate the complex interplay between art, power, and cultural exchange in the early modern world.