Liefdespaar op een bospad 1839 - 1894

Lambertus Lingeman created this drawing of a couple on a woodland path. Lingeman, working in the 19th century, was part of a society that largely confined women to the domestic sphere, while the public sphere was dominated by men. Within this context, intimacy and emotional expression were often regulated by social norms and expectations, particularly for women. Here, the artist offers us a view of love as a private encounter in the quietude of nature. There’s a sense of the figures seeking refuge from the structured expectations of society. The forest, with its dense canopy and winding paths, provides a backdrop for the couple’s affectionate exchange. Lingeman’s choice to depict this moment speaks to the intimate, personal dimensions of human connection. The artwork prompts a reflection on the ways in which societal norms shape our understanding and experience of love and companionship.