Ongeluk van de vrouwen 1778 - 1785

"Ongeluk van de vrouwen" or "The Misfortune of Women" was created by Noach van der Meer the Younger, an artist working in the Netherlands in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This etching illustrates a scene of gendered power dynamics. The male figure, adorned in armor, stands in stark contrast to the pleading women. It draws upon classical imagery to explore the themes of gender and social order which were being increasingly challenged by the Enlightenment. Notice how the women are on their knees, positioned lower than the men. The artist captures a moment ripe with emotional tension. It is a negotiation, or perhaps a demand, for power and recognition. The women, divested of any authority, are begging for mercy and appealing to the sensibilities of the men. What is the nature of this misfortune? Are the women exiled, rejected or simply ignored? As you consider this image, think about the emotional and personal dimensions of the scene. What does it say about the position of women in society? How does it reflect or shape the societal issues of the time?