Barselsstuen III. akt 6. scene. Gravering efter Lorenzens Holberg Galleri. 1810 - 1816

Wilhelm Heuer created this engraving, titled *Barselsstuen III. akt 6. scene. Gravering efter Lorenzens Holberg Galleri*, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It visualizes a scene from *The Lying-In Room*, a comedy by Ludvig Holberg, a significant figure in Danish literature during the Enlightenment. Heuer's print offers a glimpse into the social dynamics and gender roles of the 18th and 19th centuries. We see a chaotic scene surrounding a woman in childbed, attended by men who appear more farcical than helpful. This depiction reflects the era's complex attitudes towards women's health and the often-performative roles of men in domestic settings. The expressions and postures of the characters invite us to consider the tensions between social expectations and individual experiences, particularly for women. This engraving not only captures a moment from a popular play but also holds a mirror to the societal norms and power structures of its time. It subtly critiques the male-dominated narratives of care and authority. Heuer invites us to reflect on the personal within the political, and the emotional within the historical.