Zwangere non 1724

"Zwangere non" (pregnant nun) is an etching created by Jacob Gole in 1724, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The etching depicts a woman dressed as a nun, with her hands clasped in front of her, a visible bulge under her habit. The image satirizes the hypocrisy of the church, questioning the perceived piety of the clergy. Gole, a Dutch artist active in the 17th and 18th centuries, was known for his satirical prints, and this work is a prime example of his incisive commentary on social and religious issues.