De vijf zintuigen 1645 - 1681

Edme de Boulonois's "De vijf zintuigen" (The Five Senses) from 1645-1681, depicts a seated man in a dark velvet coat, smoking a pipe. This etching, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is part of a larger series exploring the senses through detailed and expressive portraiture. Boulonois, a skilled engraver, creates a realistic and engaging scene, inviting viewers to contemplate the man's experience of the world through sight, smell, and touch. The inscription on the wall, possibly referencing the man's thoughts, adds an intriguing layer to this intriguing work of art.