Monnik met apothekersgerei Possibly 1670 - 1724

Curator: This is a piece titled "Monnik met apothekersgerei," or "Monk with Apothecary Tools," an engraving by Jacob Gole, likely made between 1670 and 1724. It's currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, what strikes me is the tonality – the delicate play of light and shadow, creating a surprisingly somber mood despite the potentially satirical subject matter. The circular composition is so contained, so deliberate. Curator: It's fascinating how Gole uses familiar archetypes – the monk, often associated with piety, and the apothecary, a figure of healing – and merges them into something ambiguous, almost unsettling. The funnel-shaped hat especially conveys cultural values that aren’t in agreement with his profession and costume. Editor: That hat! It’s the focal point, directing your eye to the monk's sly expression. Semiotically, it functions almost like a dunce cap, humorously commenting on the quackery implied in the verse beneath the image. Also notice the sharp contrast created through line and texture between the face, his habit, and the negative space behind him. Curator: The text confirms your intuition. Translated, the inscription boasts the monk's remedies are made with holy water, sold at double the price because one has to afford the pot; but they only work when one has faith. So we have the image of both charlatanism and of course, faith as an absurd placebo. This mocks corrupt monastic orders who profited from healing of both body and spirit. Editor: So, it’s social commentary disguised as a genre scene. Looking again, the apothecary's tools are depicted so meticulously, despite their dubious function in the context of the poem. The print really showcases the mastery of engraving—look at the gradations of tone, all created through tiny lines! Curator: These seemingly disparate symbols come together, telling a powerful, relatable story across the centuries about faith, consumerism, and the exploitation of belief, it makes it very engaging in a moral-didactic sense. Editor: A great intersection of wit and artistry; technically masterful while conceptually rich. A true treat.