Drie boeren om een tafel 1650 - 1699

Jan Naning created this etching of "Three Peasants around a Table," capturing a seemingly candid moment. The image provides a glimpse into the lives of rural working-class men and how they may have spent their leisure time. The men depicted are engaged in simple pleasures: drinking, smoking, and perhaps gambling, suggested by the cards on the floor. This imagery can be viewed through the lens of class and cultural identity, contrasting with the more idealized or heroic portrayals of the wealthy class. The scene evokes a sense of community and shared experience among these men. We get the sense they are not putting on airs, they're just being themselves. However, this seemingly innocent snapshot also raises questions about representation and the male gaze. Are we, as viewers, intruding on a private moment, or are we being invited to observe and perhaps judge these men and their choices?