Touch 1593 - 1596

This engraving, Touch, was created by Jan Saenredam around the turn of the 17th century. During this time, the Dutch Republic was solidifying its identity through trade, religious reform, and artistic expression. Saenredam’s work depicts an intimate, sensuous encounter between a man and a woman. Look at the figures: the woman’s exposed breast and pearl necklace signal both vulnerability and wealth. The man's curly hair and embrace suggest a passionate connection. But the Latin inscription cautions, "Do not touch with your hands, lest a worse evil seize you." The inclusion of a turtle may symbolize modesty, love, and marital fidelity. Here we see an example of how the tension between desire and moral restraint shaped social attitudes of the time. The artwork prompts us to consider the complexities of human relationships, where the boundaries of touch are both a source of pleasure and a potential site of transgression.