De rommelpotspeler 1768 - 1796

This is Pieter de Mare's "De rommelpotspeler," an etching made in the late 18th century. The work captures two figures—an older man and a younger boy—playing a rommelpot, a traditional noise-making instrument. The composition is structured around the contrast between light and shadow, which enhances the textures of the clothing and faces. De Mare employs fine, deliberate lines to define form and create depth, especially noticeable in the detailed rendering of the brick wall in the background. The circular shape of the rommelpot acts as a focal point. Considered through the lens of semiotics, the rommelpot itself can be seen as a signifier of folk culture and festive disruption. The expressions of shared joy challenge the clear boundaries between age and experience. De Mare uses etching to reveal a moment of levity, demonstrating how art can blur conventional social narratives and celebrate the unpredictable harmonies of everyday life.