Illustration til bevæggrunde til giftermål og deres følger (Heyrath durch Überredung Mariage par persuasion) 1788

"Illustration til bevæggrunde til giftermål og deres følger (Heyrath durch Überredung Mariage par persuasion)" is an engraving made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. This image offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of marriage during the 18th century. The scene depicts a young woman seemingly being persuaded into marriage, highlighting how women navigated a patriarchal society where their choices were often limited. The expressions and gestures of the figures suggest a complex interplay of power, obligation, and perhaps even resistance. As we reflect on this image, we might consider how class further influenced one's agency within the institution of marriage during this time. The artist prompts us to reflect on the emotional and personal dimensions of marriage.