Minnend paar in landschap 1595 - 1605

This undated engraving, *Minnend paar in landschap*, or “Loving couple in a landscape”, was created by Gillis van Breen. It provides us with a window into the romantic ideals and social values of the early 17th century. Set against a backdrop of a hunt, the artwork depicts a couple embracing. Their attire speaks to their elevated social status. The man, with his sword and feathered hat, exudes a courtly elegance, while the woman's elaborate dress and delicate features emphasize her femininity. Yet, the very presence of the embracing couple raises questions about gender roles, and social expectations around love, marriage, and social standing. There's a tension between the idealized representation of love and the societal constraints that shaped these relationships. Van Breen’s image invites us to reflect on the ways in which art both upholds and questions the norms of its time, and the emotional lives of the figures represented.