Ferdinand Huyck in het opkamertje, Tante in de bedstee en het hoofd van Susanna tussen de gordijnen 1831 - 1899

David Bles created this drawing, Ferdinand Huyck in het opkamertje, Tante in de bedstee en het hoofd van Susanna tussen de gordijnen, using pencil and chalk. Bles, a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes and historical depictions, was working in a period where art often served to reinforce societal norms and moral narratives. Here, we are invited into an intimate scene, softly lit by candlelight, revealing a domestic interior. The figures – an aunt in bed, a man in the center, and Susanna peering from behind curtains – suggest a story unfolding. Is it a moment of care, or perhaps one of tension? The title hints at a tale of observation and perhaps even voyeurism, reminiscent of biblical stories. The drawing plays with light and shadow, adding depth and intrigue. Consider the role of Susanna, a figure often associated with virtue and vulnerability, placed in a suggestive position. Bles leaves us to wonder about the nature of the relationships and the unfolding narrative, inviting us to project our own interpretations onto this quiet, yet charged domestic scene.