Man op het punt een vrouw te slaan onderaan een trap 1781 - 1782

Louis Michel Halbou created this print depicting domestic violence at an unknown date during his lifetime. The scene provides a stark window into the dynamics of gender and power within the domestic sphere. Halbou's print invites us to consider the social norms and expectations surrounding gender roles in the 18th century. The woman, prone on the floor, is at the mercy of the man, who is positioned to strike. This imagery forces us to confront the stark realities of domestic abuse. Halbou does not offer a romanticized view of domestic life; rather, he confronts us with an alternative narrative of the domestic space as a site of potential violence. In doing so, he challenges us to reflect on the power dynamics at play, and the emotional and physical toll of such encounters.