Koppelaarster 1600 - 1669

Ludwig Büsinck created this etching, titled "Koppelaarster," which translates to "Matchmaker" or "Procuress," sometime between 1590 and 1669. The scene depicts a transaction, laden with the socio-economic realities of the time. The procuress, flanked by older women, presents a young woman to a potential client. There is a stark contrast between the youthful innocence of the young woman and the calculating gazes of the older figures. The expressions and gestures within this intimate setting offer a glimpse into the commodification of women and sexuality. The older women seem to assess, while the young woman holds a candle, as though she were up for inspection. The potential client reviews a document, perhaps a contract, with a bag of money close to his side. Büsinck invites us to consider the power dynamics at play and the emotional weight of such arrangements. The image reflects the complexities of gender, class, and agency in a society where personal desires often collided with economic imperatives.