Vrouwen van Weinsberg dragen hun mannen op de rug de stad uit 1778

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, "Women of Weinsberg Carrying Their Men Out of the City on Their Backs" using etching in the late eighteenth century. It illustrates a medieval legend, and in it we see women carrying their husbands to safety on their backs, leaving the besieged city of Weinsberg. Made in Germany, the image reflects Enlightenment ideas about morality and reason. It's a sentimental view of history, one that uses the past to comment on contemporary virtues and values. The legend exemplifies feminine virtue and honor, reflecting the era's emphasis on moral lessons. Prints like these were part of a burgeoning commercial culture. Sold in shops and distributed through print clubs, they brought art to a wider audience. Chodowiecki's work, in particular, gained popularity through its accessibility. By studying prints and the institutions around them, we understand the democratizing effects of art production and consumption in the late 1700s. We also understand how notions of gender and class are conveyed and complicated through art.