Vrouw met blote borsten en een munt 1705 - 1751

Carel Isaak de Moor created this print of a bare-breasted woman holding a coin, likely in the early 18th century. The coin carries a complex symbolism, deeply rooted in the collective psyche. The sensuality of the exposed breasts, combined with the cold, hard currency, creates an ambivalent emotional tension. The female figure is an age-old representation of earthly and heavenly love. The coin in her hand echoes those that appear in depictions of Mary Magdalene, who, in some traditions, is shown holding coins representing her repentance and transformation. This motif has been used throughout art history, appearing even in ancient Roman depictions of Venus. Over time, this iconography has evolved, often appearing in allegorical or moralistic scenes that warn against the vanities of earthly life. The emotional power of this imagery lies in its primal dichotomy: the allure of the body versus the desire for lasting value. It reflects the cyclical, eternal struggle between the earthly and the divine, constantly resurfacing and taking on new meanings in different cultural contexts.