Nachdenkender Bauer an einem Tische sitzend, die Pfeife in der Hand haltend 

Editor: Here we have a drawing entitled "Nachdenkender Bauer an einem Tische sitzend, die Pfeife in der Hand haltend," which translates to "Thinking Farmer Sitting at a Table, Holding a Pipe in His Hand." It is an intriguing pastel drawing, likely from the 17th or 18th century, by Benjamin Wolff, currently held in the Städel Museum. I find the textures captivating. What elements stand out to you? Curator: The beauty lies in the rendering of everyday life through humble materials. Notice the layered pastel strokes—how Wolff builds texture to depict fabric and skin. Consider the labour involved in creating pigments. Were they commercially produced, or painstakingly handmade? Who had access to such materials? These details illuminate the social fabric of Wolff's time. Editor: That's a great point. The choice of pastel feels significant given its association, then and now, to preparatory sketches for something 'grander', say oil on canvas. So is Wolff commenting on genre hierarchies, disrupting traditional assumptions? Curator: Exactly! He elevates this intimate moment of contemplation – a farmer and his pipe – questioning art world conventions. Note the depiction of the pipe itself; how might we see that in relation to tobacco consumption? A luxury object in early modernity or symbol for exploited workers laboring on foreign plantations? Editor: This reframes the way I see it! Now, I am no longer simply viewing an elderly man relaxing, but considering a confluence of social class and materiality reflected through Wolff's artistic choices and what we know about the material processes available during this time period. Curator: Precisely. This close attention to materials and labor shifts our understanding, allowing us to challenge established art historical narratives.