Hoofd van een oude man en een jonge vrouw 1705 - 1754

Jacob de Wit created this drawing, "Head of an Old Man and a Young Woman," using pen and brown ink, and brown wash. De Wit, a Dutch artist, lived during a time of significant social stratification. In this work, De Wit hints at the power dynamics embedded in age and gender. The old man is drawn with heavy lines and a stern expression, signifying authority, while the young woman is softer, her gaze lowered, evoking vulnerability. What are the possible narratives implied here? Is this a depiction of wisdom and innocence, or a more uncomfortable image of power imbalance and exploitation? De Wit's decision to juxtapose these figures prompts us to reflect on the values and biases that were perpetuated, and perhaps still persist today. This drawing serves as a reminder of the importance of critically examining the roles we assign to individuals based on their age and gender.