Zittende man met boek 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot made this drawing, "Zittende man met boek" or "Sitting man with book" most likely in the mid-18th century in the Southern Netherlands. This work, created with brown chalk, depicts a man sitting in a chair reading. The presence of books, especially among the upper classes during this period, signaled status, intellect, and leisure. This drawing then becomes a visual marker of social class and cultural values. It reflects the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason, education, and the cultivation of the individual through learning. The institutional support for education and arts academies shaped the production and reception of such images, reinforcing the values of the ruling elite. Was the work commissioned or created for a more private context? Understanding the social and institutional contexts of art like this requires delving into historical records, literary sources, and studies of cultural history. By analyzing these resources, we can better understand the complex relationships between art and society.