Man met een pijp (de Reuk) 1660 - 1693

This etching, "Man met een pijp (de Reuk)," was created by Jan Verkolje I. Observe how the pipe, clutched firmly in the man's hand, becomes more than a mere object; it is a symbol of sensory pleasure and indulgence. Think of the countless depictions of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, surrounded by grapes and revelry. His image, and those associated with him, became synonymous with freedom and the unleashing of primal urges. Here, the act of smoking, with its connotations of warmth and conviviality, carries echoes of Bacchus. The smoke rising, almost like incense, offers a moment of introspection and momentary escape, yet, there is a darkness in the man's eyes and a hint of unease. The pipe as a sensory tool invites you, the viewer, to question whether the man's pleasure is genuine or a mask for something deeper. It reflects how symbols and rituals resonate with our collective unconscious. Consider how such imagery has resurfaced across epochs, each time evolving in nuance, mirroring society's ever-shifting relationship with pleasure.