Man omhelst een vrouw 1731

Dirk Koedijck created this print titled 'Man omhelst een vrouw' - Man Embraces a Woman - in 1731. It depicts a scene of courtship, but seen through a lens that reveals the power dynamics of the time. Notice the woman’s posture: she is seated, seemingly caught off guard by the man's advances. Her hand is held to her chest, whether to welcome or guard his touch is left ambiguous. This raises questions about consent and the complex social expectations placed upon women in the 18th century. What agency did women have in these encounters, and how were they expected to navigate the advances of men? Koedijck invites us to look closely at these intimate moments, prompting us to reflect on the historical context of courtship. He encourages us to consider the broader social and cultural forces at play, and how they shaped the experiences and identities of both men and women. He shows us not just a moment of affection, but one of societal expectation.