Man en vrouw, ten halven lijve 1677

This image shows a man and a woman, created as a drawing by Matthys van den Bergh in the 17th century. The figures, presented from the waist up, engage in humble activities. She holds a container, perhaps preparing food, while he smokes a pipe. The act of smoking is a potent symbol, one that carries connotations of leisure, contemplation, and social interaction. Yet, it has not always been so. The ritualistic act of smoking was once deemed sacred, as seen in Mesoamerican cultures, where tobacco was burned in religious ceremonies as an offering to the gods, with smoke believed to carry prayers to the heavens. Now, observe how the image of the smoker returns across time. Consider the Dutch Golden Age paintings filled with tavern scenes, where smoking and drinking are emblems of camaraderie. This recurring motif in the visual arts showcases humanity's long-standing fascination with the ephemeral pleasure and social bonds fostered by shared habits. The symbolic significance of the smoker has undergone continuous modification, reflecting social changes in attitude toward such activities.