Ochtendtoilet van de pas getrouwde vrouw after 1751

Curator: Alright, let’s wander into this print – it’s titled "Ochtendtoilet van de pas getrouwde vrouw," or "Morning Toilet of the Newly Married Woman." Made after 1751 by Jean Dambrun, it’s an engraving held here at the Rijksmuseum. The Rococo style just oozes out of it, doesn’t it? Editor: It really does! There's something so…intimate about it, even with all those figures crammed into the frame. It almost feels voyeuristic, like we're peeking into a private moment. It makes me think, what's really going on in this scene? Curator: Ah, voyeurism! I love that reading. That's part of the magic isn't it? But it's more staged, a narrative really. Consider the ‘toilet’ not just as washing up, but a formal, social ritual. The print captures a genre scene. What if it's poking fun at those rituals? What do you make of that, the "comedy of manners" angle? Editor: That’s interesting! It hadn’t occurred to me. So, like, the almost cartoonish flurry of people fussing around the bride… Are you saying it's maybe satire? The text says its dedicated to young spouses -- it’s like a knowing wink at married life? Curator: Exactly! Maybe marriage isn’t quite as blissful as the fairytales suggest, eh? A busy morning like this – imagine trying to find some peace amidst the flurry of advisors and outfitters. Look closely: Does everyone *really* seem to have the bride’s best interests at heart? Editor: I see what you mean...some of the faces almost seem...critical? Curator: Rococo art is often seen as frivolous and just pretty, but this has teeth, I reckon! We are meant to find our own way through the details of this new, busy day. What did you learn during this moment? Editor: Definitely that art from any period can surprise you, and it pays to look beneath the surface – or the frills! And that, maybe some things, like the crazy mornings after big life changes, never really change!