Vrouw steekt haar pijp aan 1659 - 1689

Jan van der Bruggen created this print, 'Vrouw steekt haar pijp aan,' in the late 17th century, offering us a glimpse into Dutch social life. The scene unfolds in a tavern, where a woman lights her pipe, an act that challenges the period’s gender norms. The surrounding male figures, engaged in drinking and smoking, create a complex interplay of gazes and social commentary. Consider how the woman's act of smoking defies conventional representations of femininity, and her active participation in this social ritual. Van der Bruggen invites us to consider the shifting roles and social behaviors in Dutch society. The print reflects broader societal questions about gender, class, and the boundaries of acceptable behavior. It captures a moment of transgression.