Heer en herderin in gesprek c. 1654

Here we see "Heer en herderin in gesprek" by Gesina ter Borch, created sometime in the 17th century using pen and watercolor. Ter Borch, a woman artist in the Dutch Golden Age, presents us with a carefully rendered page from a friendship album. These albums were a space for personal expression, combining text and image. This work gives us a glimpse into the social rituals and gendered expectations of the time. The album page depicts a pastoral scene, a popular motif in art and literature, with a gentleman and shepherdess in conversation. In a period where women's artistic contributions were often overlooked, Ter Borch asserted her presence in the art world. This work challenges traditional representations of women as passive figures. Instead, she presents a dialogue, a meeting of minds, infusing a sense of her own voice and perspective. In its delicate details and symbolic imagery, this work encourages us to reflect on the personal and societal dialogues that shape our understanding of love, identity, and connection.