Ongewenste omhelzing 1670 - 1724

Jacob Gole created this piece, entitled "Ongewenste Omhelzing," using an engraving technique. The figures, an unwelcome suitor and his target, are arranged in a circular composition, a familiar structure harking back to Renaissance portraiture. But what can we say about the man’s hat and collar? These are visual signifiers of class and, perhaps, pretension. They connect to a longer history of attire signaling social status. Think of the ruffs in Dutch Golden Age paintings, each fold speaking to wealth and meticulous self-presentation. Yet, here, the attire seems almost parodic, hinting at a deeper mockery of social climbing and moral hypocrisy. The gesture of the woman turning away has been a long-standing symbol of rejection, and you can see that across time from classical sculpture to modern photography. The emotional tension in her posture evokes a powerful, almost visceral response, tapping into our shared, subconscious understanding of discomfort and resistance. It appears and reappears across time, evolving with each telling, its underlying essence resonating across centuries.