Astronoom en zijn vrouw 1641

Crispijn van de Passe the second created this engraving, "Astronomer and His Wife," in the Netherlands, sometime in the 17th century. The print offers a glimpse into the era's social norms and expectations surrounding marriage, gender roles, and intellectual pursuits. The astronomer, surrounded by the tools of his trade, stands in stark contrast to his wife who stands beside him. The astronomer is actively engaged with the world, seeking knowledge from the heavens, while his wife is posed statically, almost symbolically. The visual contrast highlights the perceived differences in their roles and responsibilities, reflecting the prevailing patriarchal structure of the time. The text below the image reinforces these gendered stereotypes, suggesting that older men should marry young women. The text implies that a wife should suffer in silence rather than allow her spirit to be troubled. The artist isn't simply depicting a couple, but is reinforcing societal expectations and moral lessons about marriage and gender.