Jongen die een mand en een paal draagt, naar rechts Possibly 1651

Harmen ter Borch rendered this drawing of a boy carrying a basket and pole in 1651. Ter Borch was born into a time of immense economic growth in the Netherlands, a period of increased global trade and colonial expansion. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a fascination with images of daily life. Ter Borch’s intimate sketch offers a glimpse into the life of a working-class child. The boy’s turban-like headwear and the pole across his shoulders imply a cultural narrative of labor and burden. His determined stance speaks to the physical demands placed on young, working children during this time. Ter Borch asks us to consider the intersection of innocence and labor, and to reflect on the social structures that shape young lives. He acknowledges the presence and contribution of those often overlooked in grand historical narratives. The sketch serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories embedded in the broader context of the Dutch Golden Age.