Drie figuren die rijst bewerken en een Chinees eettafereel c. 1660

Wouter Schouten rendered this sketch of rice cultivation and a Chinese meal, with ink, at an unknown date. The central scene of people eating around a table, using chopsticks, points us towards a custom deeply embedded in Chinese culture. Eating with chopsticks transcends mere sustenance; it's a communal act, a symbol of togetherness. Consider how such shared meals are depicted in other cultures, like the Last Supper, where bread and wine bind the disciples. The image of communal eating recurs throughout history, evolving in form yet retaining its essence: the transmission of cultural bonds. The act of sharing food touches deep-seated psychological chords, reminding us of family, community, and the shared human experience. This simple drawing evokes a complex web of cultural and emotional significance.