Soldaat zittend op een omgekeerde mand c. 1633 - 1634

Gerard ter Borch the Younger made this drawing of a soldier sitting on an overturned basket, using pen in gray, and brush in gray and brown. Notice the immediacy and deftness of the lines – this isn't just any soldier, but a specific individual captured in a moment of repose. Borch’s choice of pen and brush speaks to a tradition of draftsmanship, but it also elevates the everyday. His careful attention to the weave of the basket, rendered with precision, transforms a common object into a focal point. Baskets like this weren't just utilitarian; they represented the labor of those who made and used them, often people of modest means. By placing his soldier on this humble seat, Borch subtly acknowledges the social context of his subject. The drawing prompts us to consider the lives and labors of ordinary people in the 17th century. It’s a reminder that even the simplest materials can carry profound cultural significance.