Sight 1593 - 1596

Jan Saenredam created this engraving called “Sight”. It’s part of a series representing the five senses. The engraving reflects the cultural norms of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The image depicts a woman holding a mirror while an older man embraces her. Her gaze meets ours directly, seemingly aware of her own beauty. His gaze, by contrast, is directed at her body, symbolizing a male-dominated view of women as objects of desire. The series engages with period ideas about the dangers and pleasures associated with sensory experiences. In the context of the time, sight could be seen as a path to both knowledge and temptation. The engraving thus reflects the period’s complex relationship with visuality, desire, and morality. The image uses both humor and critique. It invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in acts of looking, and how these dynamics shape our perceptions of beauty, gender, and value.