La Chanson à boire 1630 - 1690

David Teniers The Younger painted "La Chanson à boire", or "The Drinking Song", sometime in the 17th century. Teniers, a court painter, often turned his eye to scenes of peasant life. Here, the setting is a humble tavern, populated by working-class men. One man sits with a tankard raised high, caught in a moment of loud, unrestrained song. Another prepares his pipe, while a third busies himself in the background. This scene might seem like a simple snapshot of everyday life, but it reflects a very specific social dynamic. In the 17th century, depictions of the lower classes were often used to reinforce existing social hierarchies, acting as both a source of amusement and a cautionary tale for the upper classes. Does Teniers celebrate or mock his subjects? It's a question that hangs in the air, thick as the tavern smoke, inviting us to reflect on who gets to tell whose story, and how.