Schenkkan met deksel 1657

This print shows a 'Schenkkan met deksel' (pitcher with lid), and was made by Françoise Bouzonnet sometime in the 17th century. Bouzonnet was a French printmaker working at a time when women artists had to navigate considerable social constraints. During this era, artists often came from artistic families. It afforded them opportunities to learn and practice their craft within a supportive environment, and we see this with Bouzonnet, whose father was the engraver François de Poilly. Bouzonnet’s choice of subject matter, a decorative pitcher, reflects the artistic conventions of the time, where women were often directed towards still life or portraiture, fitting within the domestic sphere. Nevertheless, there is an emotional quality evoked by the careful detail given to the pitcher's form. The inclusion of a dragon as a handle might represent a subtle rebellion against the expected norms of female artistry, and a longing to break free from expectations. The image could be seen as a vessel containing both the constraints and dreams of women artists of her time.