Aforisme over hoe verschillende landen omgaan met verdriet 1649

This pen and ink drawing with an aphorism about how different countries deal with grief was created in 1670 by Gesina ter Borch. Ter Borch lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands. As a woman artist in the 17th century, Ter Borch occupied a unique position in a society where artistic expression was largely dominated by men. Coming from a well-to-do family provided her with the resources and education necessary to pursue her artistic interests, yet she still navigated the social constraints imposed on women during this time. This drawing explores the cultural dimensions of grief, reflecting on how different nationalities express and cope with sorrow. It uses a comparative lens to examine the emotional landscape of various European identities. As we reflect on cultural differences, consider the universal human experience of loss and the varied ways in which societies attempt to process it. Ter Borch’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the shared threads of humanity.