Vrijende man en vrouw begluurd door een meisje 1537

Sebald Beham created this engraving called 'Lovers watched by a girl' in the 16th century. The scene depicts a couple caught in a passionate embrace while a young girl peers over a fence, a banner overhead reading "I want to join in too". This image presents a fascinating snapshot of social attitudes towards love, desire, and social class during the Northern Renaissance. Beham's work often reflected the social realities of his time in the Holy Roman Empire, commenting on peasant life and popular culture. Here the artist seems to be suggesting a critique of idealized love, and this speaks to the social conditions in which art was made and consumed. Understanding this work requires considering period sources, such as pamphlets, popular songs, and other prints, that reveal the social attitudes. The Rijksmuseum's collection offers us the chance to situate the artwork within the broader context of its time.