Drie boeren bij de haard 1650 - 1699

Jan Naning created this print titled "Three Peasants by the Hearth". The image, rendered with fine lines, captures a scene of three peasants in what appears to be a rustic interior. The composition is carefully structured; the figures are arranged in a triangular layout, creating a sense of balance. One peasant, holding a glass, sits prominently on a chair on the left. The other peasant is in the middle, sitting on a barrel, and the third is sitting on a chair in the back. This strategic placement invites the viewer’s eye to move around the artwork. The use of hatching and cross-hatching to create shading gives form to the figures and objects, and also establishes a sense of depth within the two-dimensional space. In the semiotic sense, the hearth, the drinks, and the smoking all symbolize simple pleasures, but also could mean community and camaraderie. This print offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, capturing a moment of social interaction and leisure. The image is both a representation of its time and a comment on universal human experiences.