Geboorte en wassing van een pasgeboren kind 1645 - 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Birth and Washing of a Newborn Child," in the Netherlands, sometime in the early 17th century. The print depicts a birthing scene with a clear division of space. On the left, we see the intimate act of bathing a newborn, attended to by several women, while the mother rests in bed. The right side shows a formally dressed couple observing from a distance, separated by what appears to be a curtain or doorway. The stark black-and-white checkered floor adds to the sense of order and containment. The image speaks volumes about the social rituals surrounding birth in the Dutch Golden Age. Childbirth, a female domain, is juxtaposed with the public sphere represented by the observing couple, probably the parents. Prints like these offer invaluable glimpses into historical attitudes toward family, gender roles, and social class. By examining such images alongside historical documents and accounts, we can better understand the cultural values and power dynamics of the time.