Seated Man with a Soft Cap, in Profile to the Right, with his Right Hand Raised c. 1658 - 1660

Editor: This is Cornelis Bega's "Seated Man with a Soft Cap, in Profile to the Right, with his Right Hand Raised," made around 1658-1660. It's a delicate pencil drawing. I’m struck by the intimacy of it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting that you pick up on the intimacy, because Dutch Golden Age art, despite its focus on everyday life, often overlooks the individual's inner experience. I see this work as a reflection on labor and perhaps the social standing of the sitter. Consider the man’s modest cap and worn clothing, versus the loose gesture of his raised hand – it begs the question: what has his labour afforded him, both physically and emotionally? How does Bega portray the human condition within the rigid social hierarchy of the Dutch Republic? Editor: So, you are wondering if it reveals something about class? Curator: Precisely! Bega doesn’t shy away from representing the working class, and his sketches, unlike finished paintings, provide a raw glimpse into their world. What do you make of the way his face is turned away? Is he hiding from something, or lost in thought? Editor: Maybe he is lost in thought, or maybe he is being overlooked, made invisible. It emphasizes the theme of working-class life and highlights their struggles in Dutch society. Curator: Yes! We must remember the historical context. The Dutch Golden Age was a period of immense wealth, but not everyone shared in that prosperity. Bega’s work, through its subtle depiction of this seated man, becomes a commentary on economic inequality and its human cost. Editor: It's really eye-opening to consider how seemingly simple portrait drawings like this one can actually contain these profound social critiques. Thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure. It reminds us to always question whose stories are being told, and whose are being omitted.