De genezing van de misantroop after 1765

N. de Boubers created this small print, "The Misanthrope Cured," using etching techniques. The scene illustrates a play from the era, likely French, given the title. We see a man gesturing from a doorway, apparently surprised by the visiting couple. The print offers insights into the social expectations of the time. The misanthrope, isolated by his cynicism, is confronted by society in the form of a fashionable couple. Their visit, framed within the conventions of social calls, suggests a desire to reintegrate the outsider. This narrative reflects the Enlightenment's focus on reason, sociability, and the correction of individual flaws for the common good. Analyzing costume, architecture, and theatre history can further reveal the cultural values embedded in this image, allowing a deeper understanding of the social role of art.