Ongelijke liefde 1615 - 1631

"Ongelijke liefde" (Unequal Love), a 17th-century etching by Dutch artist Adriaen Matham, depicts a scene of forbidden romance. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases a young woman in a simple dress with an older, wealthier man in elaborate attire, suggesting a societal imbalance. The inscription, a poem in Dutch, highlights the theme of unequal love, with the woman seemingly captivated by the man despite the disparity in their social standing. Matham's skillful use of chiaroscuro (contrast of light and dark) creates a sense of intimacy and tension between the two figures. This piece exemplifies the mastery of 17th-century Dutch printmaking, with intricate details and nuanced expressions captured within a compact composition.