Dansende boer, omhangen met een rij worsten 1622 - 1668

This etching, by Nicolaes van Lijnhoven, presents a dancing peasant encircled by an oval frame. The composition uses contrasting textures, from the rough rendering of the landscape to the fine lines detailing the figure's clothing. This juxtaposition draws attention to the peasant, animating the scene with a sense of robust, if crude, vitality. The peasant’s raised foot and gesturing hands create a dynamic pose, further emphasized by the sausages draped around him. Here, we see the visual codes of class and social commentary at play. The sausages, traditionally a symbol of abundance and celebration, when combined with the peasant’s exaggerated movements and somewhat grotesque features, destabilize conventional artistic values. Consider the figure’s placement within the oval frame, a traditional form for portraiture. By subverting this form, Van Lijnhoven challenges the established norms of representation. The artwork, therefore, engages in a broader cultural dialogue about the representation of social classes and challenges fixed notions of beauty and worth. This is not just a picture, but a statement questioning the very structure of societal values.