Zittende man met een banderol 1645

"Zittende man met een banderol" is a 1645 etching by Cornelis Saftleven, a Dutch artist known for his detailed depictions of everyday life. This small, intimate work shows a seated man holding a rolled-up scroll with his left hand, while the right hand is holding a pipe. The man's expression and the inscription on the scroll suggest that the artist was capturing a specific moment in the subject's life, perhaps a message or a letter. The use of hatching and cross-hatching in the etching creates a sense of depth and volume, contributing to the overall realism of the composition. Saftleven's work is known for its attention to detail and its portrayal of ordinary people, providing a valuable insight into the lives of 17th-century Dutch citizens.