Buste van een blinde man 1690 - 1715

Nicolaes van Haeften created this etching of a blind man in the late 17th or early 18th century. During this era, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social changes, including evolving views on disability. Here, the man's upward gaze evokes a sense of longing or introspection, inviting us to consider his inner world. While the ruffled collar and patterned jacket suggest a degree of affluence, his blindness offers a counter-narrative, challenging conventional markers of status and ability. The artist encourages us to consider sight as just one way of experiencing and interpreting the world. Van Haeften develops a narrative that acknowledges the man's disability while prompting us to recognize his humanity. Ultimately, this etching serves as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted nature of identity, inviting us to engage with the subject on a deeply personal level.