Personificatie van vriendschap 1710s

Arnold Houbraken created this print, Personification of Friendship, sometime between 1660 and 1719 using etching. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a keen interest in allegorical representations, which served as a way to visualize abstract concepts. In this print, Houbraken embodies ‘friendship’ as a classically draped woman, holding a chalice overflowing with grapes; the vine trailing behind her is a symbol of abundance and connection. But there are other connections worth noting. This period in the Netherlands was marked by both economic prosperity and strict social norms, and the representation of women was often caught between idealization and moral expectation. The partially exposed breast of Houbraken’s figure invites us to consider how ideas of intimacy, vulnerability, and reciprocity were gendered and negotiated in the context of friendship. What does it mean to portray friendship through a female form that blends classical ideals with sensual undertones? Ultimately, this print prompts us to reflect on the complex ways in which friendship is shaped by cultural values, personal desires, and social expectations.