Twee vrouwen flankeren een embleem met een hand die een druiventros pakt 1625 - 1635

This undated engraving by an anonymous artist, now held in the Rijksmuseum, presents two women flanking an emblem featuring a hand picking grapes. Created during a time when societal roles were rigidly defined, the image offers a glimpse into the lives of women and their representation in art. The women, adorned in the fashion of their time, stand as pillars supporting a central emblem. Note how this emblem, depicting a hand plucking grapes, symbolizes fertility and abundance, while a cherubic figure hovers above, carrying a banner with the inscription 'Flos Mihi Dos' - 'The flower is my gift'. Are these women symbols of virtue, or silent witnesses to the era's complex dynamics? The turtle and lizard at their feet representing 'Steadfastness' and 'Vigilance'. The artwork is laden with symbols referencing contemporary societal issues, yet, it also captures an undeniable emotional undercurrent. It is within this intersection of the personal and the political that we can truly appreciate the layers of meaning embedded in this anonymous creation.