Allegorie op de geboorte van een kind met Juno en Overvloed 1754

Abraham Delfos created this allegorical print celebrating the birth of a child, using etching, around 1754. The work presents an idealized, heavenly scene of feminine power. Here, Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth, is enthroned above the clouds, bestowing a crown upon an infant. Below, a regal woman gestures upwards in admiration, standing before a globe adorned with symbols of authority. Around them, putti frolic amidst symbols of abundance and fertility. But let's ask ourselves, what societal norms is Delfos participating in here? What were the expectations for women in the 18th century, especially regarding childbirth and motherhood? The print reinforces the role of women as vessels of new life, while subtly hinting at the political implications of dynasty and succession. Ultimately, Delfos's print invites us to consider the complex interplay of gender, power, and representation in the visual culture of the 18th century. While it idealizes the feminine, it also reflects the very real social and political pressures surrounding women and their reproductive roles in that era.