Roddelende vrouwen / vrijend paartje 1705

This print was made by Jan Goeree between 1670 and 1731. In the upper scene, two women are depicted in what appears to be a bustling public square, perhaps engaged in hushed gossip. In the lower scene, a couple embraces, watched by a statue of Cupid. The motif of secret communication is charged with emotional intensity. The women's gestures resonate with the ancient symbol of the closed mouth, found in Egyptian art representing secrecy. The embracing lovers below are not new either; this composition has its origins in classical depictions of Venus and Mars, embodying desire. The juxtaposition of secrecy and openness, whispers and embraces, reveals the timeless human drama of hidden truths and revealed passions. This reflects the ongoing, cyclical struggle between concealment and revelation, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to evoke the depths of our shared human experience.