Rokende man 1694

Nicolaes van Haeften etched this image of a "Rokende man," or smoking man, sometime around the late 17th century. The pipe held by the sitter is a potent symbol, its presence far more weighty than mere recreation. Consider how the act of smoking, drawing smoke into oneself and then expelling it, mimics the vital act of breathing, of taking life in and releasing it. This echoes ancient rituals where smoke carried prayers to the heavens or induced trance-like states, connecting the mundane with the divine. Think of the countless depictions of wise men, philosophers, and contemplative figures throughout art history, often shown with pipes or similar instruments that aid in thought. Even today, the pipe is a symbol of introspection and leisurely contemplation, a visual shorthand for thoughtfulness. In this image, the pipe is not just an object, but a conduit between the man and something deeper.