Drie landschappen met mannen en vrouwen in Hollandse klederdrachten, ca. 1775 1776

Cornelis Brouwer created these three landscapes with men and women in Dutch costumes around 1775. Each tableau presents figures gesturing emphatically, set against backdrops that subtly suggest themes of courtship, negotiation, and conflict. Consider the open hands extended by figures in the first two scenes, a motif resonant with historical depictions of betrothals. This gesture, intended to symbolize honesty and openness, appears throughout history, echoing in Roman marital agreements and medieval peace accords. Yet, observe its transmutation in the final scene. Here, what was once a symbol of peace becomes a frantic plea amid a struggle, a desperate attempt to halt aggression. We see then, how these gestures, laden with cultural significance, are not fixed but fluid, evolving in meaning with time and context. Brouwer engages us on a deeper level, tapping into the collective memory embedded within these gestures, provoking a subconscious recognition of their shifting meanings.