Moeder met kind zittend in een tuin 1695 - 1711

Pieter Schenk created this print titled *Moeder met kind zittend in een tuin,* sometime between 1660 and 1711. This image invites us to consider the roles and expectations placed upon women and children in the 17th century. The setting—a serene garden—frames the subjects in a light of privilege and domesticity. The mother, adorned in a satin gown, embodies the era's ideals of beauty and grace, while her child is dressed in miniature finery, reflecting their status. However, this image is more than a simple portrait; it speaks to the limited sphere of influence afforded to women, whose power was often confined to the domestic realm and exerted through their children. Schenk offers a glimpse into the carefully constructed facade of upper-class life. While seemingly benign, the image subtly comments on the societal pressures and constraints that shaped the identities of women and children alike.