Drie boeren aan een tafel roken en drinken 1727 - 1793

Leendert Brasser created this print called, "Three Farmers at a Table Smoking and Drinking," sometime in the 18th century. Brasser, who worked during the Enlightenment, offers us a glimpse into the lives of the working class, a subject gaining traction in artistic circles, as the old hierarchies began to be challenged. Here, three men sit together, their faces etched with the signs of hard labor and simple pleasures: tobacco and drink. The setting is humble, the attire unpretentious, yet there’s an undeniable dignity in their camaraderie. Brasser, rather than idealizing his subjects, presents them with an honesty that is both refreshing and revealing. The image gives us a scene of men relaxing in each other's company, at a time when class distinctions dictated nearly every aspect of life. What does it mean to see these men, rendered with such care, at a moment of respite? It encourages us to consider the narratives of those often overlooked in the grand narratives of history, allowing their stories to emerge from the shadows.