Allegorie op het vijfentwintig jarig huwelijk

About this artwork

height 112 mm x width 161 mm

Art Historical Context

Created in 1768 by Dutch artist Simon Fokke, *Allegorie op het vijfentwintig jarig huwelijk* is a delicate etching measuring just 112 by 161 millimeters. Fokke, active in the Netherlands during the eighteenth century, specialized in book illustrations and allegorical prints that captured the values of the Dutch middle class. Etching, with its fine lines and tonal subtlety, was ideally suited for such intimate commemorative works, allowing the artist to reproduce intricate symbolic imagery for wider circulation. The title points to a celebration of a twenty-five-year marriage—a silver anniversary—reflecting the period’s emphasis on domestic stability and familial virtue. In prosperous Dutch society, such allegories often blended classical motifs with everyday symbols of fidelity and prosperity, serving both as personal mementos and moral reminders. Though small in scale, the print exemplifies how graphic art helped disseminate cultural ideals of partnership and longevity during the Enlightenment era. Today, this etching offers visitors a glimpse into eighteenth-century Dutch life, where personal milestones were elevated through refined artistic technique and thoughtful symbolism.

About the Artist

Simon Fokke · 1712–1784

Comment on works: Draugstman; Portrait