Slapende boer, zittend op een bank c. 1620 - 1688

This undated drawing, Slapende boer, zittend op een bank, at the Rijksmuseum by an anonymous artist, shows a sleeping farmer sitting on a bench. The scene is rendered with delicate hatching, giving it an intimate, almost secretive feel. The composition divides the image into distinct zones of activity and stillness. In the foreground, the sleeping figure leans against a rough wooden structure, a picture of solitary repose. In the background, we see a group of figures gathered around a table, drinking and gesturing, full of life and animation. The contrast between the sharp angular lines of the wooden planks and the soft curves of the sleeping farmer's body creates a visual tension that draws us into the image. This tension between stasis and motion reflects a broader cultural discourse around labor, leisure, and the social dynamics of rural life. The drawing invites us to consider the boundaries between private and public space, inviting us to question the codes and conventions that shape our perception.