Hemelvaart van de 21-jarige dame Venel 1798

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print titled ‘Ascension of the 21-year-old lady Venel’, a touching scene rendered with delicate lines. Reflecting the religious and philosophical currents of the late 18th century, the print depicts the soul, personified as a nude woman, being carried to heaven by an angel, while mourners grieve below. The imagery of the nude female emphasizes vulnerability and purity, echoing contemporary notions about femininity and spirituality. The print thus reflects a cultural moment grappling with Enlightenment ideals and traditional religious beliefs. But, of course, death is never just about culture, it is always intimately personal. What did it mean in the 1700s when a young woman died? Who was she, and what did the mourners think and feel? As we gaze at this image, we can contemplate the complex intersection of grief, gender, and spirituality in a bygone era.