A Young Man Seated on the Ground 1619 - 1664

"A Young Man Seated on the Ground" is a drawing by Jan Miel, created sometime between 1634 and 1664, using black and white chalk on paper. Miel was known for his genre scenes depicting Roman street life, often featuring the poor and working class. In this drawing, we see a young man in what appears to be a moment of reflection or rest. Consider the act of sitting on the ground; it suggests a temporary pause, a break from labor, or perhaps a lack of higher status. The way he is looking up and away might indicate longing or hope. What does it mean to consider the male figure with tenderness, rather than the traditional heroic ideal? Miel does not overly romanticize his subject, allowing for an honest portrayal of a young working-class man’s existence in 17th-century Rome. This piece prompts us to reflect on the narratives we construct around labor, class, and the individual human experience.