Het Gehoor: zingende man 1679 - 1717

This engraving, ‘Het Gehoor: zingende man’ by Abraham de Blois, presents us with a boisterous fellow, deep in song. Note the prominent beer stein at his feet and the musical script in his hand—symbols of revelry and auditory pleasure. The image pulsates with the universal theme of joyous expression through sound, reminiscent of ancient Bacchic rituals. Consider the ecstatic poses of figures in classical friezes—arms raised, faces contorted in rapture, mirroring our singer’s fervent state. The consumption of beer, much like the wine in Dionysian rites, loosens inhibitions, allowing emotions to surge forth. The open mouth, a recurring motif, echoes through time, from the screaming faces in Edvard Munch's paintings to the operatic divas of the stage. It is a primal expression—a raw, unfiltered release of inner feeling. This single figure is a node in the vast web of human expression, reminding us of the enduring power of sound and emotion to transcend time.