Drie rokers achter een open raam 1673 - 1715

Editor: Here we have "Three Smokers Behind an Open Window," made between 1673 and 1715 by Nicolaes van Haeften, a print done with etching and lithography. It gives off a convivial, perhaps even a slightly rowdy vibe, doesn’t it? What do you see going on here? Curator: It absolutely does! Look at them, practically spilling out of that window frame. To me, this piece encapsulates a very Dutch sentiment—a sort of boisterous camaraderie mixed with a sharp observation of everyday life. Think of it as a snapshot – though an carefully crafted one – of a tavern scene, where smoking and perhaps a bit too much drink loosen tongues and inhibitions. The lighting helps highlight the textures in their faces. Does the scene suggest any tension or drama? Editor: Well, there's definitely some sort of interaction happening; the guy on the left is pointing quite emphatically. But I suppose it feels more like lively debate than an argument. Curator: Precisely! This is Golden Age Netherlands, remember, where discussions – sometimes heated – were as common as canals. It's fascinating how the artist captures not just their faces, but a sense of their characters through the casualness, or perhaps not so casualness of their poses. They could easily represent different perspectives of an active conversation. You get a whole tableau of expressions, don't you? It feels intimate and immediate, like we're eavesdropping. It's tempting to wonder: what are they arguing about? Or maybe what outlandish claim are they discussing over pipe smoke? Editor: It's interesting to consider the artist is inviting us into the scene this way. Curator: Isn’t it? And through this small window, he actually opens up a world.