Boerenpaar bij een tafel 1643 - 1677

Jonas Suyderhoef created this print of a peasant couple at a table sometime in the 17th century. It offers a window into the lives of ordinary people in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. Here, we see a man pouring a drink for a woman. The image creates meaning through its intimate depiction of everyday life, offering a glimpse into the social interactions and domestic spaces of the time. The inclusion of food, drink, and tobacco suggests a culture of indulgence and conviviality. This was a time of economic prosperity and social change in the Netherlands, and prints like these reflected and shaped the values and norms of the society. To understand this image better, one might research the history of Dutch genre painting, the role of taverns and social gatherings in Dutch society, and the cultural significance of food and drink in the 17th century.