Kolfspelers bij een herberg aan een water 1770

Jacob Cats created this drawing of golfers at a tavern by a waterway in the late 18th century. These golfers are enjoying a game that was once incredibly popular in the Netherlands. Here, the scene depicts a leisure activity associated with the Dutch Golden Age. The tavern, a social hub, reflects the period’s thriving economy. The presence of golf, traditionally a pastime for the elite, hints at social structures and hierarchies. The serene landscape and the communal gathering point to the cultural values placed on leisure. To further understand this image, we can look at historical documents, sports records, and even literature from the time to understand the social values of the game of kolf. Understanding art through these lenses highlights how deeply it reflects its cultural and institutional context.