Man op een steen spreekt twee reizigers aan 1787 - 1789

This print by Louis Croutelle presents us with a scene of a man addressing two travelers. The speaker stands on a rock, a visual elevation that symbolizes authority and insight. The figure's distinctive headwear immediately catches the eye, reminiscent of the "fool's cap" or "dunce cap," historically linked with marginality but also wisdom. Such a hat appears throughout visual culture. Consider the medieval court jester whose role was to speak truth to power, or the shamanic traditions where particular headdresses denote spiritual status. It is a marker of otherness but also, paradoxically, of heightened perception. The travelers look up, suggesting respect or perhaps disbelief. Gestures here play a significant role, for they convey states of mind and emotion which connect us to primal human experiences: of seeking advice, or finding oneself in a state of wonder. The scene creates a dynamic tension, inviting us to ponder the nature of guidance and enlightenment across time. How can we trust the word of a man in a hat?