Minnaar betrapt / vrijend paar 1707

Jan Goeree created this print titled 'Minnaar betrapt / vrijend paar'—or 'Lover caught / courting couple'—around the turn of the 18th century. The print is divided into two scenes, each reflecting aspects of love and relationships during the Dutch Golden Age. In the upper scene, we see a man caught in what seems to be an illicit encounter, as a woman raises a broom to strike him, embodying the societal disapproval of extramarital affairs. In the lower scene, a couple embraces in a landscape, symbolizing idealized, pastoral love, away from the constraints of society. The contrast between these scenes reveals the complexities of love during this period. The print invites us to consider the social norms and expectations around marriage, fidelity, and the role of women, whose reputations and social standing were often more vulnerable than those of men. It asks us to think about how public shame and moral judgment were powerful forces shaping personal behavior. The emotional tension is palpable, as the drama unfolds across the two scenarios, capturing the precarious nature of love when it defies societal norms.