Vriendschap 1778 - 1785

Editor: Here we have "Vriendschap," or "Friendship," an engraving by Noach van der Meer the Younger, created sometime between 1778 and 1785. It has a very classical feel, with the woman draped in what looks like a Grecian gown. What do you see in this piece, considering the sociopolitical context of the late 18th century? Curator: This piece operates within the visual language of allegory, common during that era, but let's unpack what "friendship" signified then. The Enlightenment valued reason, but also idealized civic virtue. The female figure, poised between nature and a classical monument, could represent an appeal to build a new society rooted in classical ideals of citizenship, but accessible through the “natural” feelings of friendship and sympathy. Note how her hand gently gestures toward the monument; she isn't embracing it fully, but engaging with its values. Editor: So, you're saying it's less about personal bonds and more about a societal ideal? Curator: Precisely. And let's consider who gets included in this ideal of friendship. Notice that the figure is a privileged white woman. Whose stories are missing from this vision of an enlightened, virtuous society? Who is excluded from the “friendship” it promotes? It's a question we must always ask when considering works like this. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes me think about how the concept of "friendship" can be weaponized to exclude certain groups, even unintentionally. Curator: Indeed. It’s important to critically examine these seemingly universal ideals. By asking these questions, we challenge the dominant narratives and create space for more inclusive interpretations of art and history. Editor: I learned so much about the political role of allegory. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Art provides us an opportunity to confront and reimagine these values.