Three Smokers at a Window c. 1694

Nicolas van Haften created 'Three Smokers at a Window' with pen and brown ink, presenting a scene dominated by architectural forms and human figures closely intertwined. The composition emphasizes the window's structure, framing three smokers in a tightly packed space. Haften uses line and texture to distinguish between the solidity of the brickwork and the soft human forms. The contrast between the rigid window frame and the languid poses of the figures creates a visual tension, suggesting a breakdown of societal norms. This drawing reflects a broader cultural fascination with lower-class life during the period, but the artist uses the window as a structural device. The window is not only a literal opening, but also as a frame that invites reflection. The work destabilizes conventional artistic values. The seemingly simple, observational drawing encourages us to re-evaluate our notions of order and disorder, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of human perception.