Assepoester op het bal 1754 - 1784

Simon Fokke created this print titled, "Cinderella at the Ball," sometime in the 18th century. During this period, fairy tales like Cinderella were becoming increasingly popular, reflecting societal ideals and anxieties about social mobility and gender roles. In the image, we see Cinderella in a lavish ballroom, losing her slipper as she rushes to leave before the magic wears off. The focus on Cinderella's hasty departure underscores the precariousness of her newfound status and the ever-present threat of returning to her former life. The surrounding party guests, frozen in their revelry, serve as a backdrop against which Cinderella's individual struggle plays out. The tale’s emphasis on physical beauty and transformation speaks to the limited avenues available to women for social advancement. "Cinderella at the Ball" captures a moment of both hope and impending loss, inviting us to consider the complex interplay between dreams, reality, and social expectations.