Interieur met een vrouw die de bijbel leest 1736 - 1775

This etching, “Interior with a Woman Reading the Bible,” was made by Jan Caspar Philips in the Netherlands sometime in the 1700s. It depicts a well-dressed woman absorbed in her reading, surrounded by symbolic objects. Notice how Philips subtly communicates the cultural values of the time. The Bible signifies piety, while the domestic setting suggests women's roles were centered in the home. The items on the table – a mirror, jewelry, and other ornaments – hint at worldly concerns, a contrast to the spiritual focus of the Bible. The architecture of the room, complete with classical allusions, signifies wealth and status. Art historians might examine Dutch Golden Age paintings for similar depictions of women and domestic life, or religious pamphlets from the period to understand the role of faith in daily life. Understanding the social context helps us interpret the layers of meaning embedded within this seemingly simple image.