Vrouw met bloem bij een man in een lentelandschap 1625 - 1635

This anonymous engraving, "Woman with flower by a man in a spring landscape," now at the Rijksmuseum, invites us into the complex world of gender roles. The artwork forms part of a series, with each engraving portraying the seasons alongside the stages of a woman's life. The text above the image refers to the qualities of a ‘Christian Housewife’, specifically the roles of bride, wife, mother and widow which represent the seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The print offers a reflection on the cultural values attributed to women in historical European society. It raises questions about the expectations placed on women, and their prescribed duties within the domestic sphere. It depicts a couple in what appears to be a moment of betrothal set against an idyllic landscape. The dog is a symbol of loyalty. The couple are surrounded by trees and birds. The landscape is full of life and the sense of promise which accompanies spring.