Zittende man in lange jas met pijp in de hand, naar rechts 1706 - 1750

Editor: Here we have a pencil drawing titled "Zittende man in lange jas met pijp in de hand, naar rechts," or "Seated Man in a Long Coat with Pipe in Hand, Facing Right," created sometime between 1706 and 1750 by Cornelis Troost, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. It feels incredibly informal and like we've just caught this fellow in a private moment. What strikes you about it? Curator: It's precisely that sense of informality that makes it compelling. Consider the context: the Dutch Republic in the 18th century was undergoing significant social shifts, with the rise of a merchant class eager for depictions of everyday life. Genre paintings, as they were called, became quite popular. Editor: So this drawing isn't just a portrait of a man, but a reflection of the society around him? Curator: Absolutely. The pipe, the relaxed posture, the simple coat, all speak to a certain bourgeois comfort and engagement with daily pleasures. Think about the places where such drawings might have been displayed – not in grand palaces, but in parlors and studies, accessible to a wider audience. The very act of creating such an intimate and apparently 'realistic' image reinforces social and political power. Editor: I guess I never considered how 'realism' could also be shaped by power structures. Curator: Indeed. Also, I wonder if the artwork was used to explore an idea, a potential image or character to be employed in his genre paintings. Think about how a sketch might function for the artist. Editor: That's a fascinating insight. It changes how I see this drawing, from a simple portrait to a complex document of its time. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! It is always rewarding to consider the role of the arts and artistic production within society.