Reiziger met steek op het hoofd 1763 - 1833

Jordanus Hoorn made this drawing, Traveler with a cocked hat on his head, using pen in gray ink and brush in gray and brown ink. Consider this traveler standing in what appears to be a barren landscape. He's not a peasant; his clothing is too refined. Yet, he's on foot, with a walking stick. What does this tell us about social mobility in the Netherlands during the late 18th century? Does the drawing celebrate the idea of the individual, making his own way? Or is it a critique of social displacement and a changing economy? The image raises important questions about class and identity during this period. Further research into the artist's biography and Dutch social history could reveal much about the possible motivations and interpretations of this intriguing drawing. The art historian's job is to see how such artworks reflect the values of their time.