Boer met een pijp, ten voeten uit 1842

Here is the audio guide script: This is Johannes Tavenraat's drawing of a full-length farmer with a pipe, made in the Netherlands. The pipe, central to this image, acts as more than a mere object; it is a symbol deeply rooted in cultural and historical contexts. Consider how pipes and tobacco appear in Dutch Golden Age paintings, often signifying leisure, contemplation, or earthly pleasures. Yet, the act of smoking transcends mere enjoyment; it carries echoes of rituals, social bonds, and even shamanistic practices across cultures. The smoke itself, rising and dissipating, is reminiscent of the ephemeral nature of life. In many traditions, smoke is a medium between the physical and spiritual realms. As we look at the farmer exhaling smoke, might we see a connection to ancestral rituals, even a subconscious nod to the transient nature of existence? Such symbols resonate deeply within our collective memory.