Female Figure Holding a Coin and Image of a Fountain 1690 - 1704

Jan Goeree made this drawing, “Female Figure Holding a Coin and Image of a Fountain,” sometime between 1680 and 1731, using pen and gray ink with gray wash on paper. Goeree lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense economic and cultural growth for the Netherlands. The drawing shows a woman holding a coin with a fountain image, referencing classical antiquity, a common theme in art of the time, reflecting the period's interest in ancient cultures. The woman could be interpreted as an allegory of abundance, displaying the source of wealth for the city. The use of a female figure to symbolize civic values is noteworthy. The way the female form embodies abstract concepts reflects the gendered expectations of the time, where women were often used as symbols. It invites us to reflect on the historical relationship between gender, representation, and civic identity. The artist is asking us to consider the foundations of wealth, power, and the narratives they construct.