Rokende man met drinkbeker 1873 - 1909

Florent Brant created this image of a smoking man holding a drinking vessel using etching and engraving. These are printmaking techniques, which use a metal plate to transfer an image onto paper. The level of detail suggests Brant was highly skilled in these methods. The image is reminiscent of earlier Dutch masters, who often depicted everyday life and people. There is a sense of the social context of the man, perhaps enjoying a moment of leisure, the smoke rising from his pipe as a testament to the slow pace of life. The choice of printmaking allowed for the reproduction of this image, which is tied to wider social issues of labor and consumption, and invites us to consider how Brant's expertise has imbued the image with cultural significance. Paying attention to the process and the way of making this print is crucial to understanding its full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.