Ziet hier jonge jeugt voor oogen / hoe dat een dogter is bedrogen [(...)] 1767 - 1793

This is an engraving by Erven Hendrik van der Putte, and it presents a series of scenes depicting the betrayal of a young woman. The stark imagery of confrontation, contracts, and violence reflects a society grappling with themes of morality and deception. Note how the gesture of handshaking, seen frequently here, evolves across cultures. Once a symbol of trust and agreement, it takes on a sinister connotation in these scenes, becoming emblematic of broken promises and deceit. Consider, for example, how similar gestures appear in Roman treaties, meant to solidify alliances, yet here, they devolve into instruments of treachery. The power of these images lies in their capacity to tap into collective anxieties about trust and betrayal. This engraving is not merely a historical artifact. It’s a mirror reflecting enduring human struggles with morality, continually reappearing and reshaping across the centuries.