Zittende man met boek en een hand met een boek 1710 - 1772

This red chalk drawing by Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot depicts a seated man with a book, dating probably from the mid-18th century. The loose sketch captures a gentleman in his finery, complete with a powdered wig, absorbed in his reading. The book acts as more than just a prop; in the Dutch Republic, literacy was a marker of social status and a symbol of enlightenment ideals. The Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century had fostered a culture of intellectual inquiry, and by the 18th century, reading had become increasingly associated with politeness and civility. This drawing, then, not only represents an individual but also speaks to the values of its time. To understand this artwork further, we might look to period literature, social histories, and even library records. These resources help us to understand the dialogue between the sitter and the society in which he lived. Ultimately, the meaning of the image is revealed through the specifics of its historical and cultural context.