Twee jonge vrouwen bij het lichaam van Don Juan after 1834

This lithograph by Theodoor Schaepkens depicts two young women mourning over the body of Don Juan. Created in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, it taps into the Romantic era's fascination with literary and operatic themes, reflecting a growing middle-class culture eager for artistic engagement with the wider world. The image, with its dramatic lighting and emotional intensity, creates meaning through cultural references and historical associations. Don Juan, a legendary libertine, was a popular subject at the time, symbolizing themes of morality and transgression that were discussed throughout bourgeois Europe. Schaepkens, working within established artistic conventions, catered to the tastes of his audience. This artwork raises questions about the role of art in shaping public discourse and moral values during the 1800s. Art historians consult theater history, literary criticism, and social theory, to understand the significance of such works and the historical forces that influenced them.