Bruid in gesprek met Godsvrucht 1574

This engraving, *Bruid in gesprek met Godsvrucht*, or Bride in Discussion with Piety, was created by Wierix around the turn of the 17th century. This piece invites us to reflect on the cultural and religious expectations placed on women during the early modern period. Here, we see a bride in conversation with piety, a representation of religious devotion. The bride, adorned and central, is approached by a figure symbolizing chastity, who carries a bundle of sticks and a lock for the door, representing the constraints placed on women. This juxtaposition explores the tension between the earthly desires of marriage and the spiritual calling of piety. The artist uses the female form to convey complex moral and ethical concepts. The bride's pose and expression invite us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of these expectations. Does she embrace or resist the path laid out for her? The Latin inscriptions underscore the didactic nature of the artwork, meant to instruct viewers on the virtues of chastity and devotion. Through its allegorical language, the engraving challenges us to confront the historical and ongoing negotiation of women's roles in society.