Dokter bespiedt met een spiegel het achterwerk van een vrouw 1644 - 1727

Editor: So, here we have a print from between 1644 and 1727, held at the Rijksmuseum, titled "Dokter bespiedt met een spiegel het achterwerk van een vrouw" or "Doctor spies on a woman's behind with a mirror." It has an undeniably cheeky quality, a lighthearted, somewhat crude humor that stands out. What’s your take? Curator: Well, I see a powerful critique of social and gender dynamics disguised within that "cheeky" exterior. This piece exposes the power imbalances inherent in the medical gaze. The doctor, ostensibly offering care, is actually engaging in voyeurism, reducing the woman to a mere object of spectacle. Editor: Interesting, I hadn't thought about the power dynamics so explicitly. So, you’re saying that it's not *just* a humorous scene, but also a social commentary? Curator: Absolutely. Think about the historical context: Women's bodies were often policed and pathologized by male authorities, especially within the medical establishment. The artist is using humor to subtly subvert that authority and invite the viewer to question these dynamics. The male gaze, under the guise of a physician, invades female privacy. This image critiques and perhaps mocks those transgressions. How do you feel knowing this is titled anonymously? Editor: It complicates my understanding, knowing the artist preferred to be unknown, it suggests risk or controversy around this viewpoint? Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about the dangers of challenging dominant ideologies around gender and power, doesn’t it? It also challenges our current obsession with individual genius; often, art arises from collectives or unnamed social forces pushing for change. Editor: I’ve learned so much. I'll definitely look at these older works with a new lens from now on.