Avond 1667 - 1736

This is an engraving called 'Evening', made anonymously. It is reminiscent of its time in its representation of the female body and allegorical figures. The engraving depicts Vespera, the goddess of the evening, reclining nude on a cloud. Her posture conveys a sense of serene power, while her muscular physique challenges conventional notions of femininity, especially in a time when female beauty was so often associated with passivity. Below her, men with nets and lanterns toil, reflecting the gendered division of labor, where men are active in the world and women occupy a more passive role, even when deified. The artwork invites us to reflect on how our understanding of beauty and gender roles have evolved and on the ongoing dialogue between traditional representations and alternative narratives.