Wilhelm Esch en Julchen vallen elkaar in de armen 1784

Editor: This is "Wilhelm Esch en Julchen vallen elkaar in de armen," made in 1784 by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. It’s a drawing, actually an engraving on paper, held here at the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by the tenderness of the embrace. It feels like a scene plucked right out of a novel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What catches my eye immediately are the cultural signals embedded within this seemingly simple image. The embrace, yes, is tender, but consider how displays of affection were codified, particularly within the rising middle class of the late 18th century. Their postures, clothing, and the very setting tell a story. Notice the bookcase and window—symbols of domesticity, scholarship, and perhaps, a regulated emotional landscape. Is this a courtship scene, sanctioned and framed by societal expectations? What expectations are at play do you think? Editor: It definitely feels like courtship, especially with the window suggesting possibilities, like an opening into the future together. I hadn’t thought about the books as symbols, more just a part of their home. Curator: Precisely. The arrangement suggests order and learning, ideals cherished during the Enlightenment. However, the embrace, however tender, injects a controlled burst of emotion into this setting. It reminds me how people use symbols in staged dramas as self-expression. Perhaps also the beginning of something more? The imagery serves to underscore their social standing and personal aspirations. Do you find this portrayal aligns with other contemporary depictions of love you have encountered? Editor: I guess many artworks that come to mind are more idealized and less intimate. The image suggests real affection, rather than something symbolic. This almost feels voyeuristic! Curator: An astute observation. And does this contrast alter your perception? It invites a meditation on societal ideals versus personal emotional authenticity, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, it has shifted from a simple, sweet image to something with much deeper, more complex layers. I see it more critically now! Curator: Wonderful! I hope we keep these lenses on as we interpret works of art, keeping symbols in mind.