Dienstmeid met hondje op de arm, 1685

Sébastien Leclerc I created this print, "Dienstmeid met hondje op de arm," using etching. Leclerc was active during a time when European society was highly stratified, and gender roles were clearly defined. Here, we see a maidservant, her identity immediately recognizable by her modest attire, tenderly holding a small dog. In the 17th century, dogs like this one were luxury items, cherished companions of the wealthy. The emotional tenor of the image lies in the relationship between the maid and the dog. What does it mean for a working-class woman to be in such close contact with a symbol of wealth and privilege? Leclerc seems to avoid either idealizing or condemning the social dynamics at play. The print invites us to reflect on the complex interplay of class, labor, and personal affection in a society marked by stark inequalities. It asks us to consider the emotional lives of those whose labor often goes unseen.