Gruppe af en siddende dame og en stående herre, knæfigurer. I baggrunden en sort afrikaner og en hund, t.h. en ballustrade 1668 - 1670

This drawing was made by Abraham van den Tempel in the 17th century, using pen and gray ink, brush and gray wash, and white gouache on paper. In this composition we can see a standing gentleman and a seated lady. They are accompanied by a Black servant, and a dog. This arrangement reflects the complex social hierarchies of the Dutch Golden Age, where wealth was frequently generated through international trade, including enslaved people. The inclusion of the Black figure highlights both the family’s affluence and the painful legacy of colonialism. The depiction of the Black figure is itself a representation of cultural attitudes of the period, reflecting the objectification and marginalization of non-European people. Van den Tempel’s drawing serves as a window into a world of prosperity, but it also brings to light questions about power, privilege, and the human cost of economic success.