Gallant Scene in a Kitchen Interior 1780 - 1798

Willem Joseph Laquy painted this scene of courtship in a kitchen, on wood, sometime in the late eighteenth century. The image presents a narrative of class relations that speaks to the social structure of the Netherlands at the time. The well-to-do gentleman in his fine clothes attempts to woo a young woman working in the kitchen. Laquy uses recognizable visual codes to create meaning. The setting and figures imply the economic and social hierarchies of Dutch society, perhaps critiquing the exploitation of domestic workers. Notice the dog on the table with the meat: is this further commentary on social class? The artist may be commenting on contemporary social structures, and the power dynamics present in seemingly everyday interactions. To understand this work better, we can consult historical documents that tell us about labor conditions and class relations in the Netherlands. By placing the artwork in its social and institutional context, we can appreciate how art reflects and shapes social norms.