Zogende vrouw 1784 - 1826

Jacob Ernst Marcus created this print, "Zogende vrouw," sometime around the late 18th to early 19th century. The scene depicts a woman breastfeeding her child, observed by two men. During this period, societal roles were highly defined, and representations of motherhood often idealized women as nurturing figures, yet confined to the domestic sphere. It is worth noting that the presence of the men, especially the one seemingly checking his watch, brings to the fore the intersection of class and gender dynamics. The woman, possibly of a lower social status, is captured in an intimate act, observed by men who appear to hold a position of power or authority. The artwork invites us to consider the emotional labor of motherhood, the gaze under which women have historically existed, and the complex negotiations of privacy and social expectations. The tension in the scene may reflect societal attitudes towards women's bodies and their roles as mothers, where private moments become subject to public scrutiny and judgment.