Jongeman wordt door een oudere man voorgesteld aan een jongevrouw met kind 1823

Moritz Retzsch made this sketch, titled "Young Man Introduced by an Older Man to a Young Woman with Child," using graphite on paper. It explores themes of courtship and family within a specific social milieu. Consider the visual codes at play here. The architectural setting, dress, and body language all point to a narrative deeply embedded in the social customs of its time. Likely made in Germany in the 19th century, the drawing provides insight into the social expectations surrounding marriage and lineage within the middle and upper classes. The composition reinforces these ideas by positioning the older man as a mediator in the introduction, emphasizing the importance of familial approval and social standing in the matchmaking process. To fully understand Retzsch’s drawing, we can consult historical records, fashion plates, and etiquette manuals from the period. These resources will allow us to appreciate art as a reflection of social and institutional norms.