Dobbelende soldaten bij kaarslicht 1655 - 1700

Editor: This etching, “Dobbelende soldaten bij kaarslicht,” or "Soldiers Gambling by Candlelight," made by Jan van Somer sometime between 1655 and 1700, gives such a strong sense of a furtive, smoky interior. There's something compelling about how the light and shadows are used to create such an enclosed scene. What stands out to you in this print? Curator: Well, it’s fascinating how van Somer, working within the Dutch Golden Age, engages with the trope of the soldier. But instead of glorifying military prowess, we see them caught in a moment of leisure, gambling. The candlelight becomes a metaphor; it illuminates not heroism, but the everyday lives – and perhaps, vices – of those involved in military service. It’s worth considering how the imagery affects the perception of soldiers within Dutch society at this time. How do you think it contributes to their image? Editor: I suppose it humanizes them. We are so close to them in this depiction. The caricature style hints at a gentle critique, maybe even a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of idle time. Is that a common reading? Curator: Absolutely, but there's more to it. Look at the date; the work was produced during a period of relative peace for the Dutch Republic. Do you think there is a purpose? By showing soldiers engaged in something other than war, is Van Somer prompting a discussion about the role of the military in times of peace, its cost and its implications for social order? Editor: That's such an interesting point. It's almost like he’s asking, "What do we do with our soldiers when they aren't actively fighting?". I initially just saw a genre scene, but your analysis has really highlighted the potential socio-political commentary embedded within the image. Curator: Exactly! And it reminds us that art of this period can offer us many things, with insights into the nuanced relationship between public life and the soldiers that played their role in this society. Editor: I’ll never look at a seemingly simple genre scene the same way again! Curator: Nor will I! These kinds of images bring so much context into understanding Dutch culture, social dynamics, and shifting values through time.