Afbeeldingh hoe seven wyven vechten om een mans broeck ende de vrou de broeck aentrecht (...) Possibly 1700 - 1865

This 17th-century etching by van der Haeghen at the Rijksmuseum presents a series of small scenes, each framed in a grid-like structure. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper emphasizes the linear quality of the work, drawing our eyes across its surface. The composition is divided into a series of vignettes, creating a sense of order while also suggesting a narrative sequence, like frames from a film. Each scene presents a comical depiction of domestic life. There is a clear semiotic code at work; each image is not merely a representation but a sign pointing to broader cultural understandings of gender roles, domesticity, and perhaps even the absurdity of human conflict. Consider how the artist destabilizes traditional meanings, prompting us to question the fixed categories of gender, power, and social norms within the household. This use of form creates a powerful, thought-provoking statement.