Boeren rond een tafel 1633 - 1665

This is a print made by Reinhard Voskens some time in the 17th century. It depicts peasants around a table, drinking and smoking. This scene gives us an insight into the social life of the Dutch working class. The print captures a moment of leisure and camaraderie, perhaps in a local tavern. At the top of the picture a bat with wings holds a sign with the text "LEVEN DER BO", meaning "the life of..." followed by the name of Pieter Quast, who was the inventor. Text also appears around the group of people, which could indicate the lyrics to a drinking song or a poem. Such elements of popular culture can tell us about the values and pastimes of ordinary people during this period. To understand the context, we can examine the broader visual culture of the Dutch Golden Age, looking at genre paintings, popular prints, and other forms of visual expression. We might also research the history of taverns and drinking culture in the Netherlands, or study the works of Pieter Quast to find out why he may have been the 'inventor' of the life of peasants. By situating the artwork in its social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.