Vrouw en drie mannen 1608 - 1610

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print of a woman and three men during the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by its artistic innovation but also stark social stratification. The central woman is adorned with elaborate attire that speaks to status and wealth. Yet her downcast eyes and clasped hands suggest a narrative beyond mere display. The three men who encircle her seem to negotiate something, perhaps a marriage or some other transaction. What stories are suggested by the woman’s body language? How might her agency be limited by the social norms of the time? Visscher’s etching invites us to consider the complex dynamics of gender, class, and power at play in the 17th century. It also resonates with contemporary dialogues about women's roles, choices, and representations.