Gedicht met dialoog tussen een koning en een herderin Possibly 1654 - 1656

This is Gesina ter Borch’s “Gedicht met dialoog tussen een koning en een herderin” or, Poem with dialogue between a king and a shepherdess, held at the Rijksmuseum. Ter Borch made this drawing while the Dutch Republic was experiencing its Golden Age. This delicate work presents us with a dialogue between a king and a shepherdess, archetypes often used to explore themes of love, power, and social status. What’s especially interesting is the artist herself: Gesina ter Borch was an accomplished artist in her own right, despite the limitations placed on women in the 17th century. Coming from a well-to-do family, she had access to education and resources not afforded to many women of her time. Reflecting on the piece, it’s hard not to wonder about ter Borch’s own voice within this conversation between the king and the shepherdess. Was she commenting on the societal expectations of women, who were often relegated to the role of the ‘shepherdess,’ while men held positions of power like the ‘king’? This work invites us to consider the artist’s own identity and experiences, and how they intersect with the broader social and cultural narratives of her time.