Carl Ferdiner probeert Elise te omhelzen voor het raam 1777

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, titled 'Carl Ferdiner probeert Elise te omhelzen voor het raam' in the late 18th century. During this time, gender roles and social expectations were very clearly defined, which is visible in this scene. Here, we see a man attempting to embrace a woman near a window. The print subtly communicates the power dynamics inherent in courtship and relationships during this period. The woman’s posture suggests hesitation or resistance, while the man’s embrace, though perhaps intended as affectionate, could be interpreted as assertive or even forceful. Chodowiecki’s work provides a glimpse into the negotiation of consent and personal space within the intimate relationships of the time. The window acts as a barrier, perhaps suggesting the woman’s yearning for an escape. The viewer is left to consider the emotional and social constraints faced by women within the societal structures of the 1700s.