Heer Halewijn ontmoet een jonge vrouw in een bos 1861

Jean François Xavier Roffiaen created this print, “Heer Halewijn ontmoet een jonge vrouw in een bos,” using etching techniques. Roffiaen, working in the 19th century, situates this scene in a dense forest, a space often depicted as outside the bounds of societal control and where encounters can take a darker turn. The print depicts a meeting between Heer Halewijn, a figure from Dutch and Flemish folklore known for his deadly songs that lure women to their death, and a young woman. This narrative intersects themes of gender, power, and morality. The woman approaches Halewijn, seemingly entranced. This speaks to the limited agency women have, and how they are exposed to danger, manipulated by men, and are at risk of becoming victims. How does Roffiaen’s decision to represent this folk tale reflect on broader societal anxieties about gender roles, power, and the dangers lurking just beyond the edge of what is deemed civilized? Ponder what feelings emerge as you observe the woman, and consider what this image evokes within you.