Drinkende boeren voor een herberg 1817 - 1882

This print called "Drinkende boeren voor een herberg" or "Drinking Peasants Outside an Inn" was made by Johann Gabriel Friedrich Poppel in the Netherlands. It depicts farmers drinking in front of an inn, offering a glimpse into 19th-century rural life. The scene is rich with cultural references. Taverns were social hubs, especially for the working class. The image presents a slice of daily life; men drinking, children playing, and women working. But we should also think about the artist’s intentions and the expectations of his audience. Prints like these circulated widely and helped construct images of the ideal citizen and of social order. To fully understand this artwork, we can consult historical documents, like records of village life and local newspapers. By piecing together such social and institutional contexts, we gain a richer appreciation for the values and structures of the time.