Disputerende heren bij natuurkundige instrumenten en weckflessen c. 1722 - 1784

"Disputerende heren bij natuurkundige instrumenten en weckflessen," a graphite drawing by Dutch artist Simon Fokke (1712-1784), is housed in the Rijksmuseum. The scene depicts two men engaged in a lively discussion, possibly about scientific instruments, with the central figure reclining on a table strewn with objects. Fokke’s work, characterized by its fine detail and lively characterization, captures the intellectual atmosphere of the Dutch Golden Age. The drawing's intimate scale and nuanced composition emphasize the intellectual debate between the gentlemen in a casually elegant setting.