Sir Franklin knielt en kust Klara op de hand 1790

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print, "Sir Franklin kneels and kisses Klara on the hand," at an unknown date. Here we see a scene that speaks volumes about the social codes of its time. It offers a glimpse into the rituals of courtship and the hierarchical dynamics of 18th-century European society. Produced in the late 1700s, likely in Germany, the print uses the visual language of class and gender. The act of kneeling and kissing a hand was not merely a gesture of affection; it was a performance of respect, indicating the man's lower status relative to the woman and her family. Notice the other figures in the composition. They are witnesses to this social exchange, which underscores the public role of such private interactions. To fully understand this print, one might delve into conduct manuals, etiquette books, and popular literature of the time. These sources provide insights into the values and expectations that shaped people's behavior and artistic expression. Ultimately, the image underscores how art both reflects and reinforces the social norms of its day.