Pefroen, die bloed, doos lys gedwongen / Meer dan een onnoozelen jongen / Verbeterd eindlyk 't slechte wyf; / Door digte slagen op haar lyf 1806 - 1830

This is a print titled "Pefroen, die bloed, doos lys gedwongen / Meer dan een onnoozelen jongen / Verbeterd eindlyk 't slechte wyf; / Door digte slagen op haar lyf" by Johan Noman, now in the Rijksmuseum collection. Reflecting 19th-century Dutch culture, this print confronts the viewer with gender roles and social hierarchies. Its narrative unfolds through sequential images depicting domestic life and relationships. While seemingly quaint, the print reveals the power dynamics inherent in marriage and societal expectations of women during this period. The visual language is both direct and disturbing. This work prompts questions about agency, obedience, and the ways violence against women was normalized or even condoned. The emotional impact is unsettling, inviting us to reflect on how such representations shape our understanding of gender and power. Ultimately, this print serves as a potent reminder of the historical struggles for gender equality. It encourages critical dialogue around the legacies of patriarchal structures that continue to influence our world today.