Standbeeld van een vrouw gehuld in een mantel 1636 - 1647

Cornelis Bloemaert created this print of a draped female figure without a specified date. As an artist working in the Dutch Golden Age, Bloemaert straddled a time of economic prosperity and strict Calvinist social codes. The figure is depicted in classical garb, a style that carries connotations of status and timelessness. But how might we consider her identity beyond this idealization? The heavy mantle she wears might symbolize modesty, a virtue highly prized for women in 17th-century Dutch society, yet her uncovered head and the sandals suggest otherwise. Bloemaert's print invites us to contemplate the expectations placed on women and how they might have navigated these roles. Does she represent an archetype, or could she embody a more nuanced expression of femininity? The lack of explicit markers leaves room for interpretation, allowing viewers to project their own understanding onto her form. Ultimately, this print captures the emotional complexities inherent in representing identity, offering a glimpse into the negotiations between personal expression and societal expectations.