Portret van een onbekende vrouw en man 1863

This is an undated etching by Felicien Rops, titled “Portret van een onbekende vrouw en man,” now held in the Rijksmuseum. Rops worked during a time of significant social change, and his art often explored the themes of modernity, sexuality, and the changing roles of women in society. Here, Rops depicts a woman with a bright expression, perhaps at the theatre, with two men lingering behind her. The male figures remain in the shadows, a composition which encourages us to focus on the woman's expression. Her assuredness is striking, and challenges traditional representations of women from this period. Rops seemed drawn to the complexities of modern life, especially those pertaining to women's experiences. His art invites us to contemplate the intimate, yet often unseen, aspects of the lives of women during this transformative period in history.