Rokende boer met pijp 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare created this etching, "Rokende boer met pijp," sometime before 1796. The composition, though simple, captures a striking intimacy through its concentrated details and deliberate arrangement of forms. Observe how the artist's use of line and texture defines the farmer's figure. The cross-hatching technique creates depth and volume, particularly in the folds of his clothing and the contours of his face. The subject's downward gaze, combined with the smoke rising from his pipe, invites introspection. This directs our attention not just to what is seen, but to what might be thought or felt. Consider the semiotic function of the pipe. It is a symbol of leisure and contemplation, but also one of potential social commentary. How does this simple object, elevated through the artist's meticulous detail, challenge fixed meanings or engage with new ways of thinking about representation? This understated etching achieves remarkable depth through its thoughtful rendering of form and texture.