Vrouw voor een spiegel 1752

This print, Vrouw voor een spiegel, or Woman before a Mirror, was made by Aert Schouman, probably sometime in the mid-18th century in the Netherlands, using etching and engraving. It depicts a woman in her private chambers gazing at her reflection, and it raises interesting questions about the social role of women and the male gaze in art during this period. The Dutch Republic in the 1700s was a society undergoing significant economic and social changes, which influenced artistic production. While the Dutch Golden Age had passed, art continued to reflect the values and interests of the merchant class. This work, however, offers a glimpse into the intimate life of a woman, challenging conventional norms. It would be fruitful to investigate how women were represented in popular literature and artistic academies to fully appreciate the statement Schouman is trying to make here. By researching the social history of the Dutch Republic, we can gain a deeper understanding of the print's cultural and institutional context.