Het Gehoor: zingende man 1670 - 1724

Editor: So here we have Jacob Gole’s "The Sense of Hearing: A Singing Man," created sometime between 1670 and 1724. It's a graphite drawing currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by the almost photographic realism achieved with just graphite. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The magic is definitely in the method. Consider the cultural and economic landscape of the Dutch Golden Age: there's burgeoning trade, the rise of a wealthy merchant class, and a corresponding demand for…stuff. Not just any stuff, but finely crafted goods. Here, the humble graphite transforms into something that mimics a painting. It’s less about Gole expressing inner genius, and more about him performing a specific, skilled labor, meeting a market demand for representations of leisure. Notice also the objects depicted; a lute and what appears to be a ceramic jug - can you think what social meaning those materials would have at the time? Editor: I suppose those were signifiers of wealth and leisure in a Dutch household. What about the choice to focus on genre painting, compared to, say, portraits? Curator: The "everyday" scenes celebrated the new middle class, showing them enjoying worldly pleasures and accomplishments – domestic music-making in this case. They want art that reflects their aspirations. Genre scenes democratize art making it less about religious or aristocratic iconography, and more accessible. Editor: So it's about the materials, the method and who could access it… Curator: Exactly! How art creation itself participates in constructing class and social identity. Think about who’s buying this; they aren't just acquiring an image, they are acquiring social capital. What is your main takeaway? Editor: The picture becomes more than just what is shown and enters the economy of things that represent value. I guess I’ll pay attention to the context and production process of the materials of art. Curator: Indeed! The very means of production carry just as much meaning as the final image.