Het gezicht 1670 - 1724

"Het gezicht" (The Face), an etching by Jacob Gole from 1670-1724, captures a humorous scene of a group of people gathered in a dimly lit tavern. The composition features a seated man laughing heartily, while another man stands behind him, holding a lit candle and a pair of spectacles, his face obscured by a tall hat. A woman, also seated, appears to be the center of attention, holding a lit candle and a handkerchief. This print, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the genre of everyday life scenes popular in 17th-century Dutch art. The use of strong chiaroscuro and detailed rendering of figures and objects creates a sense of realism and intimacy.