Twee mannen in gesprek 1864 - 1902

This undated print by Jeremias Schill, found in the Rijksmuseum, depicts two men in conversation, rendered in a style that invites us to consider the social dynamics at play. Created in the Netherlands, likely in the late 19th century, the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The suited man with a cane stands in stark contrast to the other, whose clothes are looser. The brief exchange written below the image offers another crucial detail. One man says to the other that he is very drunk, and the other replies that it's still early because he has only been drinking for one hour. The print offers a social commentary on class and drinking culture in the Netherlands. It speaks to the social conditions that shape artistic production. To understand it better, we might look into the history of Dutch drinking culture and the art institutions that promoted or censored such imagery. In the end, the meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.