Reproductie van een schilderij van een onbekende man en vrouw die wijn drinken van David Rijckaert before 1883

This is Joseph Maes' reproduction of a painting, date unknown, by David Rijckaert, portraying an unknown man and woman drinking wine. Rijckaert, working in 17th-century Antwerp, often depicted peasant scenes, reflecting the lives of ordinary people in his time. This particular image invites us to consider the gendered aspects of everyday life within the context of 17th-century Flemish culture. Wine drinking, then as now, was a social activity, but the roles and expectations of men and women differed significantly. It’s not just about who is drinking, but how and in what context. There's an intimacy in the act of sharing a drink. It provides a glimpse into their personal space, a space that was undoubtedly governed by social norms and power dynamics. The emotional resonance lies in recognizing these figures within the context of their time.