Standbeeld van een zittende halfnaakte vrouw 1636 - 1647

Cornelis Bloemaert created this print of a partially nude, seated woman in the 17th century. During this time, the Dutch Golden Age saw an increased interest in classical antiquity, and the female nude became a popular subject in art. This image, while seemingly traditional, invites us to consider the complexities of representation. Bloemaert, as a male artist, was working within a patriarchal society that often objectified women. This print, with its idealized form, both reflects and perpetuates those historical power dynamics. The woman’s serene pose may invite us to consider the varying ways in which female beauty has been portrayed and consumed throughout history. Consider the emotional impact of the image: Does it evoke a sense of admiration, or does it provoke questions about the gaze and the historical positioning of women in art?