Man met een kruik en een pijp (de Smaak) 1658 - 1706

Editor: Here we have Wallerant Vaillant’s “Man with a Jug and a Pipe (the Sense of Taste)", dating sometime between 1658 and 1706. It's an etching, quite small, but intensely characterful. I get a real sense of revelry from it. What captures your eye? Curator: It’s that beautiful blurring between high and low, isn't it? The grand tradition of portraiture applied to a… well, a rather jolly drunk, by the looks of it. Look at the cross-hatching, the way it builds up tone, particularly around his face. Makes you wonder what stories that face could tell! It’s about pleasure, raw and unfiltered, the sheer indulgence of taste. Does it make you think about class at all? Editor: Absolutely, there's a definite tension. It's almost like Vaillant is poking fun at the genre, while simultaneously showcasing his mastery of it. The man isn't idealized; he's earthy, real. Do you see symbolism here or a genuine slice of life? Curator: Oh, art's never just a 'slice of life,' is it? It’s always flavoured, arranged, seasoned… Just as he savours that drink, we must savour the details. That specific angle, the choice of depicting 'taste' in *this* way. And do we judge him for seeking simple pleasures or admire the gusto? It’s a good Baroque conundrum, I think. Editor: Definitely something to ponder! It’s funny how a seemingly simple image can hold such complex ideas. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about. Curator: My pleasure. I feel like I am able to "taste" something new from this each time.