Bruid tijdens haar huwelijksfeest 1625 - 1635

This engraving, entitled "Bride During Her Wedding Feast," is an intriguing artifact from an unknown artist and time. Immediately, one wonders about the conspicuous absence of the artist's name. Was this anonymity a choice, reflecting the artist's position in society, or perhaps the prevailing cultural norms around authorship? The print depicts a formal wedding gathering, yet it invites us to consider the deeper social scripts at play. The bride sits centrally, flanked by family, embodying societal expectations of women in marriage. Her role, as dictated by tradition, was pivotal in maintaining social order and familial alliances. This print, laden with symbolism, asks us to think about gendered expectations and the economic and social structures that defined women's lives. Note the rabbit hopping across the floor - what does that signify in relation to the bride, her future, and her expected role? The inscription framing the image references the bride’s transition from her father’s house to her husband’s, highlighting the shift in her identity and allegiance. It's a moment of both promise and constraint, echoing the complex realities of women within historical social structures.