Man en vrouw gaan een huis binnen 1769

Reinier Vinkeles created this etching of a man and woman entering a house sometime in the 18th century. But who are these people, and what is the nature of this somewhat ceremonial entrance? Looking closely, we see a crowd gathered, their attention fixed on the couple. The architecture suggests a prosperous Dutch setting. It’s likely this image depicts a wedding. The act of entering the marital home was a public demonstration, symbolizing the creation of a new household within the community. The presence of onlookers underscores the social importance of marriage in 18th-century Dutch society. Understanding the artwork means looking into the period’s social customs, consulting historical records of marriage ceremonies, and exploring the visual language of the time. Only then can we fully grasp the public role of art and its place in reflecting and shaping the social norms of its time.