Portretten van de koppelaarster Margo Macrelle en de courtisane La Belle Dans 1635

This engraving by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, dating from the early 17th century, presents a telling snapshot of Dutch society. It depicts two women: a procuress, Margo Macrelle, and a courtesan, La Belle Dans. The image speaks volumes about the commercialization of sex and the roles women occupied in that era. The Netherlands, a burgeoning mercantile power at the time, saw a rise in such trades. Van de Passe, working within the printmaking industry—a powerful force in disseminating ideas—captures the complex social dynamics at play. He invites us to consider the economic structures that shaped these women's lives. Was he criticizing or simply documenting the society around him? To understand this artwork, we must delve into the archives, explore historical accounts of Dutch social life, and study the economic conditions of the time. Only then can we begin to grasp the full significance of these portraits and the lives they represent.