Allegorie op een huwelijk 1704 - 1733

This is Jacobus Schijnvoet’s Allegorie op een huwelijk, an engraving with a height of 190mm and width of 157mm. At first glance, the crisp lines and carefully etched details create a formal tableau of marriage. The composition is arranged with a symmetrical balance. Two figures stand on either side of an ornate vase. Above them, cherubs float within a cloud, illuminated by a bright light. This piece invites us to consider the codes and conventions of marriage within a formal setting. The landscape, curtain, and cherubs above the figures aren’t just decorations. They establish a structured narrative. This narrative uses symbols and traditional imagery to evoke marriage, rather than representing any specific meaning. The balance and symmetry of the composition reflect the values and expectations imposed upon marriage. It acts as a cultural artifact that embodies societal ideals, inviting us to question these structures in the modern era.