Lachende jongen met een glas 1742

Petrus Camper created this mezzotint titled 'Laughing Boy with a Glass' in 1742. Camper was a Dutch artist and scientist during the Enlightenment, a period where reason and individualism were championed. This image of the laughing boy seems straightforward, but consider how the concept of laughter and revelry was often used to depict the working class. Notice his slightly disheveled hat and clothing. What does it mean to capture a moment of joy, and who has access to that joy? In a society marked by rigid social hierarchies, images like these offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people. Was this meant to be a moment of shared humanity, or did it reinforce existing class divisions? I can't help but wonder about the story behind his smile and the society that both celebrated and scrutinized his happiness.