Vormsel (linker deel) 1680 - 1694

Jean Pesne created this print, titled 'Vormsel (linker deel)', sometime in the 17th century. During this period, religious and social norms had a profound effect on individual expression and identity. Pesne's work offers a glimpse into these complex dynamics. Notice how women are portrayed in this scene. They’re present, yet their roles appear to be carefully circumscribed by social expectations. There is a tension in how this work represents women, caught between religious piety and active participation. The act of ‘Vormsel’, or confirmation, is a deeply personal and spiritual event. It is about publicly affirming one’s faith and taking ownership of one’s religious identity. As you contemplate this image, consider what it means to come of age within a religious and social framework that often dictates individual roles. How might the children in the scene experience the weight of these expectations? The artwork invites us to reflect on the interplay between personal conviction and societal pressures. It challenges us to consider whose stories are told, and how they are told, within the context of faith and community.