Vertrouwelijk onderhoud 1776

Abraham Delfos created this watercolor and etching titled 'Vertrouwelijk onderhoud' – or 'Confidential Conversation' – during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands. It depicts three women, likely from different generations, engaged in what appears to be a private discussion. The setting is domestic and intimate, suggesting a space where women's voices and experiences are central. The contrast in the women’s attire may reflect their different social positions or life stages. The older woman is seated, holding a glass of wine, exuding a sense of authority, while the younger woman seems more reserved. The third woman stands with a small broom in hand which implies a domestic role. There’s a quiet tension in the scene. We are left to wonder about the nature of their conversation and the dynamics between them. How does this quiet domesticity reflect the broader societal expectations placed on women during this period? The artwork captures a moment of female solidarity, reflecting both the constraints and the strength found in women's relationships.