Het leven en bedrijf van Hans Slenderhinck / en Westfaelse Geesje Possibly 1650 - 1689

This is a print titled "The Life and Business of Hans Slenderhinck and Westphalian Geesje" made in Amsterdam in 1670 by the widow of Theunis Jacobsz. Lootsman. The print presents a series of vignettes depicting the life of a couple, Hans and Geesje, through small, captioned scenes. The work provides a glimpse into 17th-century Dutch culture, reflecting societal norms, gender roles, and perhaps even a narrative of social mobility. The captions add layers of meaning, inviting viewers to interpret the depicted scenarios and understand the values and expectations placed upon men and women during this period. As a woman running a business after her husband’s death, the widow Lootsman's own life challenges and complicates the narratives presented in the print. She exists outside of traditional representations of women, offering an alternative narrative through her economic independence. The stories of Hans and Geesje gain a new dimension when viewed through the lens of the woman who printed them, blurring the boundaries between representation and lived experience.