Discover the humour and craftsmanship of 17th-century silverworks from the Dutch Republic and their influence on elite culture during a fascinating lecture.
This lecture deals with the fascinating world of auricular (kwab) ornament where humour, craftsmanship, and elite culture collide. The unique silverworks, designed by the brothers Paulus and Adam van Vianen, blend bizarre shapes with playful and grotesque details that both amaze and amuse. Starting from their marvellous ewers, Stijn Bussels will also discuss paintings by masters such as Jan Steen and Jan Both to make clear how imagination was sparked in various media and how the boundaries of taste and decorum were challenged. Discover how humour played a key role in Dutch 17th-century elite life and why these masterpieces continue to intrigue and inspire today!