Lot en zijn dochter Possibly 1787

Robert Dunkarton created this mezzotint titled, "Lot en zijn dochter," sometime around the late 18th century. This piece comes from the Old Testament story of Lot, who sought refuge in a cave with his daughters after fleeing the sinful city of Sodom. In this moment, one daughter whispers to her father, Lot, while holding a cup, hinting at their plan to get him drunk and subsequently pregnant, to continue their family line. Dunkarton's work encourages us to consider the desperation and agency of women in patriarchal societies, where their roles are often limited to procreation. It is crucial to contemplate the choices made by women in dire situations and the ethical complexities that arise when survival and societal expectations clash. Here, Dunkarton is developing alternative narratives by shifting the emphasis from condemnation to empathy and understanding, inviting us to reflect on themes of survival, morality, and the female experience within historical contexts.