Paardendiefstal 1638 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher created this print, Paardendiefstal, or "Horse Theft", sometime in the mid-17th century. The print depicts three figures stealing horses at night, while a fire burns in the background. Prints like these were widely circulated in the Netherlands and beyond, and they reflect anxieties about social order and morality. The Dutch Golden Age saw a rise in prosperity, but also growing concerns about crime and social inequality. How might these concerns have shaped the production and reception of this print? The dramatic lighting, typical of the Baroque style, heightens the scene's tension. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references, drawing on the long history of art depicting crime and punishment. Historical crime documents might reveal the social attitudes toward horse theft during this period. By exploring the historical context, we can better understand the meaning of this work.