Vrouw met dronken man 1768 - 1796

Editor: This drawing, "Vrouw met dronken man," or "Woman with a Drunken Man," is by Pieter de Mare, created sometime between 1768 and 1796. It’s a pen and ink sketch on paper, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a bit comical, with its slightly clumsy figures and loose lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, absolutely! It’s a quick, observational slice of life. It reminds me of glancing at someone on a crowded street. There’s a rawness, isn't there? Like a fleeting thought caught on paper. I wonder what story De Mare was trying to tell or if he just observed that and wanted to draw. Why do you think the woman seems to have this drunk guy by the arm? What do you think is the story there? Editor: Hmm, maybe she's trying to guide him home? He definitely looks unsteady! It’s fascinating to think this might just be a snapshot of a real-life moment from centuries ago. Curator: Precisely! It offers us a glimpse into 18th-century life, the everyday realities, and the…shall we say… less-than-glamorous aspects of society. I find myself wondering what that paper she's carrying holds - the house keys? And is he fighting to keep his hat on or falling over to the side from having too much fun? What do you think of the Baroque feel to the sketch? Do you notice how dramatic, or conversely undramatic, the figures appear? Editor: It’s more understated Baroque, I think! But you're right; there’s still that element of capturing a specific, dynamic moment, even in something as simple as this. I see what you mean. I didn’t quite appreciate the “slice of life” aspect before. It is like people-watching across time. Curator: Exactly! And it makes me think about the simple act of observation itself. As humans we are naturally looking for that glimpse of raw everyday beauty - the beauty of a flawed human struggling to put a hat on!