Drie vrouwen c. 1679 - 1750

"Drie Vrouwen," or "Three Women," is an undated line engraving by an anonymous artist. The three figures, draped in cloth, are depicted in simple lines against a blank background, each turned at a different angle. We might consider how the identities of these women are represented, or perhaps obscured, in the print. Stripped of specific cultural or class markers, their anonymity invites a broader reading. Are they allegorical figures meant to embody universal feminine ideals? Or, does their uniformity render them as types, erasing individual stories and identities? The bare feet and simple garments can be interpreted as a mark of modesty, while the woman in the center's raised hands could be viewed as a traditional posture of female piety. Consider how the artist navigates the cultural expectations of representing women. This image offers a glimpse into historical perceptions of womanhood.