Man sleeping on a window-sill 1662

Esaias Boursse created this drawing of a man sleeping on a window sill in the mid-17th century. The image’s simple composition and subject matter are in keeping with the Dutch Golden Age interest in everyday life. But what is the public role of such an intimate image? The serene depiction of a resting figure can be seen as a social commentary. Boursse made this sketch at a time when the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, yet great disparities in wealth existed. Does the man’s exposed position suggest vulnerability? Is the artist highlighting the plight of the less fortunate? The image avoids idealization, and thus may be viewed as a challenge to traditional hierarchies in art. To fully appreciate this drawing, we would need to research Dutch social structures and class dynamics of the era. Such historical awareness transforms our experience, allowing us to see the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production.