Man betast een vrouw 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print, titled 'Man betast een vrouw'—or 'Man fondling a woman'—in the late 17th or early 18th century in the Netherlands. Its frank depiction of nudity and sexual harassment provides a window into the social dynamics of the time. The image presents a woman seated, partially unclothed, while a man in a wig touches his chin thoughtfully. The scene is framed within an oval, reminiscent of a mirror or perhaps a locket, suggesting intimacy but also artificiality. It invites us to consider the visual codes of the time. What does it mean to depict such a scene? What does the artist want us to understand about the relationship between this man and woman? How is power displayed in this image? Understanding Picart's world through historical documents—social commentaries, legal records, and personal writings—allows us to better interpret his art. We can reflect on the meaning of art and how it shifts, contingent on its social and institutional context.