Jongeman schaatst langs een groep dames c. 1864

Johann Leonhard Raab created this print, “Jongeman schaatst langs een groep dames,” using a technique called line engraving. Consider the social dynamics at play. It's a winter scene where gender roles are subtly highlighted. The confident skater, a young man, glides with purpose, his attire suggesting a certain social standing. On the other side, we observe a group of women engaged in a snowball fight. The women's activity appears almost frivolous in contrast to the man’s composed presence. This contrast subtly reflects societal expectations of men as active and women as more playful or passive. Raab invites us to reflect on the choreography of gender within public spaces and how these unspoken rules play out. The scene captures not just a moment in time, but also a moment in social history. It raises questions about who is allowed to move freely and who is relegated to the sidelines of action.