Twee voorstellingen uit de verhalen van Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker 1797

Daniel Chodowiecki created this print, "Twee voorstellingen uit de verhalen van Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker," in the late 18th century. The depicted scenes, likely illustrations for a novel, offer us a window into the social rituals surrounding courtship and marriage during the Enlightenment. Made in Germany during a period of growing literacy and a burgeoning middle class, Chodowiecki's print speaks to the changing role of women, the importance of family alliances, and the rituals of love and marriage. Look closely at the interior settings, the clothing, and the gestures of the figures. What can these details tell us about the social conventions of the time? How do they compare to contemporary customs surrounding love and relationships? Historians studying such works will often consult conduct manuals, fashion plates, and literary sources to gain a deeper understanding of the social context. The meaning of this print is thus not inherent but emerges from its place within a specific historical and institutional context.