Corintin en Maria, een legende uit Bretagne 1894 - 1959

This illustrated print, Corintin en Maria, een legende uit Bretagne (Corintin and Maria, a Legend from Brittany), was created by Gordinne. The comic strip format invites us to explore how narratives reflect cultural values. Focusing on the story of Corintin and Maria, we see traditional gender roles depicted in the early 20th century. Corintin is the active fisherman and Maria is the concerned figure at home. These roles would have been very familiar to viewers of the time. The narrative unfolds with Corintin encountering a mermaid; she offers him wealth, which he initially declines. Yet, the allure of riches eventually changes his mind. This tale reflects a common theme: the corrupting influence of wealth and the disruption it causes in simple, traditional lives. The imagery, while seemingly innocent, touches on deeper societal anxieties about morality and the changing social fabric. How does the promise of wealth challenge our values, then and now?