Man telt munten (het Gehoor) 1660 - 1693

Jan Verkolje produced this small engraving, "Man Telt Munten (het Gehoor)," which translates to "Man Counting Coins (The Sense of Hearing)," in the Netherlands sometime between 1675 and 1693. This image offers a fascinating glimpse into Dutch society during its Golden Age, a period of immense economic prosperity fueled by global trade. The man's sly grin and bulging eyes, combined with the detail of his fine clothing, suggest a commentary on the rising merchant class and perhaps even a critique of the obsession with wealth. Verkolje may be playing on the traditional association of hearing with understanding, implying that the man is deaf to anything beyond the clinking of coins. Further research into Dutch social customs and economic policies of the late 17th century, along with an examination of the artist's biography and the print's original context, might reveal even deeper layers of meaning within this seemingly simple image.