Het Gezicht before 1724

This print, "Het Gezicht," was made by Jacob Gole in the Netherlands sometime between 1660 and 1737. In it, we see a man in a doorway and a woman looking at her reflection in a mirror. This image reflects the social preoccupations of its time. Note the clothing: elaborate wigs and formal attire. The print suggests a world of wealth, leisure, and perhaps a certain level of self-absorption, where appearances and social interactions were of utmost importance. The mirror itself becomes a symbol of vanity and the emphasis on outward beauty. This work also invites us to consider the role of such images within Dutch society. Were they meant as straightforward celebrations of aristocratic life, or did they offer subtle critiques of its excesses? To understand the print's function, we can research the artist's biography, the print's circulation, and contemporary responses to similar works. Through such inquiries, we can appreciate how art is always embedded in a complex web of social and institutional relations.