Loth og hans døtre 1662 - 1747

Willem van Mieris created this drawing, Loth og hans døtre, whose date remains unknown, using a technique that seems to explore the tensions between classical narrative and the social realities of his time. The image depicts Lot, a biblical figure, with his daughters, an inherently charged subject matter when considering the power dynamics involved. Mieris, living in the Dutch Golden Age, navigates the complex terrain of biblical narrative through a lens that simultaneously celebrates and perhaps subtly critiques the prevailing social norms of the time. What strikes me most is the intimacy captured in the embrace between Lot and one of his daughters, set against the backdrop of their escape, this tenderness adds a layer of complexity, almost challenging the viewer to reconcile the personal with the moral implications of their story. Mieris invites us to consider the emotional landscape of those deemed ‘other’ or transgressive. The image resonates with questions about survival, familial bonds, and the negotiation of identity in moments of crisis.