Vrouw verklaart onder ede haar onschuld 1533 - 1534

Georg Pencz created this print, "Vrouw verklaart onder ede haar onschuld," sometime in the 16th century. Pencz was a German artist working during the Reformation, a time of immense social and religious upheaval. In this small but powerful scene, we witness a woman swearing an oath of innocence. Note how she is positioned before a king-like figure and surrounded by onlookers, including a court jester, while she is touching a lion figure. During the Renaissance, court jesters were more than just entertainers, often using their humor to critique societal norms and power structures. The woman's act symbolizes a public declaration of truth in a society deeply entrenched in patriarchal structures. The presence of the lion further reinforces the gravity and symbolic weight of her oath, as lions often represented courage and truth. The print invites reflection on the vulnerability and strength of women navigating systems of power, particularly in times of social change. It reminds us that the personal is always political, and that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the pursuit of truth and justice remains a powerful force.