Monnik met een pijp en een vlag Possibly 1670 - 1724

This is an engraving titled "Monnik met een pijp en een vlag" by Jacob Gole, made around the late 17th or early 18th century. Notice how the artist uses a circular frame to focus our attention sharply on the monk's face, flag and wine tap. The composition divides the space to highlight different elements. The flag with the inscription "Le Superieur de la Cave" and the wine tap, positioned on the monk's chest, creates a strong diagonal line. The monochrome palette, combined with precise hatching, gives form to the monk's expressive features. The lines around his eyes and mouth are especially evocative. There is a sense of destabilization, as the sacred is juxtaposed with the profane. The flag, an emblem of authority, humorously contrasts with the monk’s disheveled appearance and wine tap. The arrangement doesn't just present a visual narrative, but challenges the viewer to question fixed meanings, engaging us in an ongoing interpretation of symbolism and context.