De waarzegster 1683 - 1726

Nicolaas Verkolje created this mezzotint titled ‘The Fortune Teller’ in the late 17th or early 18th century. It depicts a scene rife with the tensions of class and gender dynamics characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. We see a well-dressed woman, her silk gown shimmering in the light, having her palm read by a Romani woman, whose clothing is tattered, a flask hanging from her waist. A man leans in conspiratorially, his finger to his lips, as if privy to a secret, underscoring the power dynamics at play. While the wealthy woman seeks insight into her future, the Romani woman is relegated to the role of an outsider, relying on her wits. The gazes exchanged are loaded with suspicion, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of desperation. This artwork encapsulates the complex social tapestry of the time, reflecting both the allure and the anxieties surrounding fortune-telling and the lives of marginalized communities.