Koopman uit Amsterdam en zijn vrouw 1641

This engraving, "Koopman uit Amsterdam en zijn vrouw," was created by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, during the Dutch Golden Age. The work presents us with the image of a merchant from Amsterdam with his wife, each holding a baby. The work reflects the 17th century Dutch society, where economic prosperity was rising, and traditional family values were shifting. The image of the merchant, holding a glass of wine in one hand while cradling a baby in the other, may hint at the complex negotiations between public duty and private life. The poem below suggests that the ‘onecht kind’ is a burden on the family. The parallel depiction of the wife, also holding a child, prompts us to consider the gendered roles and expectations within the family unit. Is she a Madonna or a woman scorned? By offering us this intimate glimpse into the life of a Dutch family, van de Passe invites us to reflect on the values, expectations, and potential tensions that shaped the domestic sphere.