Titelvignet til S. Richardson: "Miss Clarissa Harlowes Historie", anden del 1783

Georg Christian Schule created this title vignette for the second part of S. Richardson's "Miss Clarissa Harlowes Historie." Schule, working in late 18th-century Denmark, operated within a society undergoing significant cultural shifts, influenced by Enlightenment ideals yet still deeply rooted in traditional class structures. Here we see a man and a woman walking hand in hand in nature. The image is framed by a circle of foliage, suggesting an idealized vision of nature as a refuge or escape. The original novel, "Clarissa," explores themes of virtue, seduction, and social constraints, all heavily influenced by the period’s attitudes toward women's roles and moral expectations. Schule's vignette captures a moment of connection, but it also hints at the complex power dynamics inherent in relationships of the time. Consider the way the figures are depicted and how their body language might suggest underlying tensions or desires. This image invites us to consider the emotional landscape of the characters and the societal forces that shape their destinies.