Man met de armen over elkaar 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare made this print of a man with his arms crossed sometime in the late 18th century. The image presents a figure who appears to be from the working classes. He stands in a square frame as if he is being presented for observation. Made in the Netherlands, this print enters a history of representing social types. The man's clothing, including his hat, short trousers, and the knife at his side, mark him as distinct from the upper classes. The print is an effort to codify social status through dress and posture. During this period, the Netherlands was experiencing social and political upheaval, with growing tensions between the aristocracy and the common people. Prints like this one contributed to a visual discourse that defined and reinforced class distinctions. Was de Mare commenting on the social structures of his time? Understanding prints like these requires looking into costume books, social histories, and the archives of printmaking workshops. Only then can we fully grasp the social and institutional contexts that shaped their creation and meaning.