Lezende man en oude vrouw en drie koppen 1768 - 1796

Pieter de Mare created this print, "Lezende man en oude vrouw en drie koppen", which translates to "Reading man and old woman and three heads," using etching techniques. The image invites us to consider the cultural dynamics of literacy and age in the late 18th century. Made in the Netherlands, the print plays with the visual codes of its time. We can speculate about the power dynamics between the man reading and the old woman, whose gesture suggests she is directing him. The additional "heads" at the bottom might represent different social types, or perhaps stages of life, inviting viewers to reflect on the diversity within their communities. To fully appreciate De Mare's work, we might look into literacy rates and social hierarchies in the 18th-century Netherlands. By consulting historical documents and scholarly analysis, we can understand how an artwork like this both reflected and contributed to the social conversations of its time. Ultimately, its meaning is contingent on understanding its original context.