Getrouwd paar verlaat een kerk 1829 - 1894

Gerrit Postma created this pencil drawing, titled 'Married Couple Leaving a Church', in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Postma, working in a time of significant social change, captures not just a scene, but a set of societal expectations and cultural norms tied to marriage. Consider how marriage in this period was deeply entwined with socio-economic status and family alliances. The drawing gives us a glimpse into the rituals and public display of union, underscored by the church setting and the collective gaze of the community. The work invites us to consider the role of women in 19th-century Dutch society, where marriage often defined their social standing and futures. While seemingly a celebration of love, the drawing subtly reflects the constraints and expectations placed on individuals, especially women, within the institution of marriage. It encapsulates both the joy and the social constructs of the time.