Ægteskabsbrydersken 1594

Jan Saenredam created this print, titled Ægteskabsbrydersken, at the turn of the 17th century. It illustrates a biblical scene where a woman, accused of adultery, is brought before Christ. Saenredam was working in a society deeply shaped by religious doctrine. The print captures the fraught position of women, particularly in relation to sexual morality and public shame. The woman is positioned centrally, yet her downcast gaze and hand on her chest conveys vulnerability. This gesture could reflect guilt, but also a plea for empathy in a situation orchestrated by powerful male figures, those that loom in the background. This engraving invites us to reflect on the historical roots of gendered judgement and the ways religious narratives have been used to control female sexuality. Consider how these historical depictions continue to echo in contemporary conversations about agency and justice.