Goedheid en brutaalheid 1784

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print titled 'Goedheid en brutaalheid' – or goodness and brutality – using etching techniques. The two figures of women reference a changing standard for acceptable female behavior in the late 1700s. Made in Germany, the print depicts two versions of femininity in that moment. On the left, we have 'Artig,' or 'La Folie,' a woman who is gentle and composed. While on the right, we have 'Frech,' or 'L'effrontée,' who is sassy and brazen. This references the enlightenment era concept of a new feminine ideal, one in which women have the agency to express their views, and challenge the conventions. It is a satire of women’s roles in society, influenced by the social and political upheavals of the era. Understanding Chodowiecki’s images requires us to look at the wider political context, to read period literature, and to consult fashion plates. It is within this historical context that the print's critical commentary emerges.