De geschiedenis van Blauwbaard 1850 - 1881

This illustrated print by D. Noothoven van Goor visualizes the classic fairy tale of Bluebeard. Created in the Netherlands, its simplistic style reflects the era's approach to children's education through moralistic storytelling. The story unfolds in eight panels, each depicting a key scene in the dark narrative. We see Bluebeard's courtship, his ominous warnings, and the grisly discovery of his past wives. The final panels show the violent climax where Bluebeard is defeated, avenging his murdered spouses. The tale is a stark commentary on gender, power and violence. Bluebeard, with his wealth and status, embodies patriarchal control, while his wives represent the vulnerability of women in a society where they lack autonomy. The forbidden room, filled with the remains of Bluebeard’s former wives, becomes a symbol of repressed female voices and the dangers of curiosity. Although the artwork is simple, the story it tells continues to resonate, as it touches on our deepest fears about trust, betrayal, and the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath a charming facade.