The Refused Caress c. 17th century

Curator: This etching by Cornelis Bega, titled "The Refused Caress," presents an intimate, almost unsettling, encounter. Editor: My first impression is constraint; the tight composition and stark contrasts amplify the tension between the figures. Curator: Bega, who lived from 1631 to 1664, captures a moment of resistance here. Notice how the woman's rigid posture and averted gaze become symbols of defiance against the man's advance. Editor: It seems the woman’s role in this historical context might be one of societal subjugation—yet her refusal, immortalized in this piece, also functions as a symbol of resistance, a push against the public expectations. Curator: Precisely. The darkness shrouding the background heightens the psychological weight, leaving the viewer to consider the power dynamics at play. Editor: I leave with a deeper consideration of women's roles and the cultural narratives that Bega's work both reflects and challenges.