Drinkende man op een stoel in een herberginterieur 1735

Jacques Philippe Le Bas made this print, "Drinking Man in a Chair in a Tavern Interior," in the 18th century using engraving. It's a humble scene, yet it captures the material culture of its time. Notice the textures that Le Bas creates with simple lines: the rough, homespun fabrics of the men’s clothing, the smooth surfaces of the ceramic jugs, the wooden beams of the tavern. Consider how much labor went into each of these elements. The jugs would have been made by potters, likely working long hours in workshops. The clothing probably made by women at home, supplementing family incomes. Even the print itself reflects a complex social context. Le Bas was a highly skilled engraver, part of a network that produced images for a growing consumer market. Prints like these brought art to a wider audience, beyond the wealthy elite. Ultimately, this image is a reminder that even the simplest scenes are full of material and social meaning. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the labor and production that shape our world.