Heilige vrouwen bij het graf 1728

This print, "Holy Women at the Tomb," was created by Gilliam van der Gouwen in the 18th century, a period still heavily influenced by religious and patriarchal norms. Here, we see the biblical scene of women encountering an angel at Christ’s tomb. These women, often marginalized in religious narratives, are central to the story of the resurrection. Yet, even in this pivotal moment, the angel dictates the narrative, reinforcing a hierarchical structure. The women’s grief is palpable, yet their emotional experience is mediated through the divine message delivered by a traditionally gendered angel. The engraving itself speaks to a time when women's roles were narrowly defined, and their voices often unheard. By depicting women as the first witnesses to the resurrection, does the artist challenge or reinforce these norms? Perhaps it subtly acknowledges the vital, yet often overlooked, contributions of women in religious and social spheres. It invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between faith, gender, and power in shaping historical narratives.