De twee linker kariatiden uit de Vierschaar van het Stadhuis op de Dam 1655 - 1665

Hubert Quellinus created this print, “The two left caryatids from the Vierschaar of the Town Hall on the Dam”, offering us a glimpse into the architecture and society of 17th-century Amsterdam. The caryatids, female figures serving as architectural support, embody the weight of expectation placed on women. In this print, they stand as silent witnesses within the Vierschaar, the courtroom of the Town Hall. One covers her eyes while the other hangs her head, bound. These figures reflect the limited agency women had in the patriarchal society of the Dutch Golden Age. Quellinus develops an alternative narrative by depicting these figures, caught between classical ideals and the realities of their time. This print serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between power, gender, and representation in shaping our understanding of history. The emotional weight of these figures, their silent resilience, invites us to reflect on the burdens carried by women throughout history.