IJsgezicht met kolfspelers Possibly 1634

This drawing, Ice Scene with Kolf Players, was made by Gerard ter Borch the Younger in the 17th century. It depicts people playing "kolf," a game similar to golf, on a frozen body of water. During the Dutch Golden Age, scenes of everyday life became a popular subject for artists, reflecting a growing merchant class with new wealth and leisure. Yet, there is a social hierarchy depicted here. We can consider the players' clothing and leisure activities as markers of class and status, indicative of the social stratification in Dutch society at the time. While the scene appears to depict a recreational activity, it also subtly reflects the socio-economic realities of the time, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who had the privilege to engage in leisure pursuits. This drawing invites us to reflect on who has access to leisure and how those activities become part of cultural identity.