Drie mannen en een vrouw c. 1679 - 1750

Here is a small etching entitled, ‘Three Men and a Woman’, by an anonymous artist. Images like this offer insight into the historical context of gender and power. Notice the woman’s bowed head and submissive posture, contrasting with the upright, cloaked figures of the men. This composition reflects the patriarchal structures of the time. How does this contrast with contemporary perspectives on equality? Consider too, the absence of the artist's signature, which invites speculation about their identity. What might it mean to be an artist, perhaps a woman or someone from a marginalized community, working outside the mainstream art world? This etching invites us to reflect on the power dynamics embedded in its composition, while also prompting questions about the hidden histories and identities that may lie behind its creation.