XXXV Quid Domini facient audent cum talia fures 1614

Editor: Here we have “XXXV Quid Domini facient audent cum talia fures,” an engraving by Roemer Visscher, created around 1614. It's part of a larger book. The image depicts what seems to be wealthy figures in a carriage. It makes me think about wealth disparity, especially given the somewhat unflattering depictions. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s interesting to consider how this image reflects the socio-political climate of the Dutch Golden Age. Look at the Latin inscription – "What do lords dare, when such things are done by thieves?" How does that inform our reading? Editor: I guess it points towards corruption at the highest levels of society? Curator: Precisely. Visscher is commenting on the ostentatious displays of wealth by those who obtained it through unethical means. Consider the emergent merchant class during that era and the challenge they posed to the established aristocracy. These kinds of prints were often circulated as political commentary, helping to shape public opinion. Editor: So, the print becomes a tool for critiquing power, a kind of visual journalism? Curator: In a sense, yes. The artist is acting as a social commentator. And because these images were relatively accessible through printmaking, it facilitated a wider conversation. What kind of values, then, do you think Visscher tried to instil in his public? Editor: He's definitely urging viewers to question authority and be wary of those flaunting newfound riches. It shows me the museum functions as a socio-political arena of art as much as it does a place for pure historical admiration. Curator: Indeed. It highlights the power of art to both reflect and shape the social and political landscape of its time, prompting viewers to be more engaged with those complexities even today.