Study of a Man Playing Skittles c. 1650 - 1655

Editor: This is Jan Steen's "Study of a Man Playing Skittles," from around 1650 to 1655. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. There's something almost frozen about the action, and the monochrome pencil sketch creates an effect that reminds me of early photography... What strikes you about this piece? Curator: What immediately comes to mind is how seemingly simple scenes like this were actually deeply embedded in the socio-political fabric of 17th-century Netherlands. While it presents itself as a genre painting – a snapshot of everyday life – Steen's choice of skittles taps into something much larger. Games of skill like skittles weren't just innocent pastimes. Editor: What do you mean? Curator: Well, consider who had the leisure time and social standing to engage in such activities publicly. The painting offers insight into gender roles, class dynamics, and even moral attitudes. It suggests privilege, doesn't it? How does it resonate with you regarding power dynamics of the time? Editor: That's fascinating. I guess I was initially drawn to the image's simplicity and almost casual feel. I hadn’t considered the power dynamics it might reflect. Curator: And isn't that the beauty of art? To draw you in with familiarity, only to challenge your preconceptions. What begins as an unassuming drawing unveils these complex threads. How different is it when compared to leisure scenes today? Editor: Definitely a new perspective for me, I appreciate you connecting the drawing to broader issues of class and society, I’ll definitely be looking at Dutch Golden Age paintings in a different light now. Curator: That is what Art history and visual culture are for!