Schaatsenrijder 1670 - 1724

This engraving by Jacob Gole, likely made in the late 17th century, presents a lively scene of a Dutchman on ice skates. Dominating the image is the figure of a skater, pipe in hand, embodying a spirit of revelry amid winter’s cold. Consider the recurring motif of the pipe. Across cultures, smoking has been a symbol of communion, contemplation, and even rebellion. Think of the peace pipes of Native American traditions or the intellectual gatherings in European coffee houses, each puff carrying shared ideas and camaraderie. In this image, the pipe is held aloft almost like a defiant gesture against the cold—a celebration of human warmth amidst the chill. The skater’s exaggerated pose and carefree attitude tap into a collective memory of winter festivals and carnivalesque celebrations. The human spirit, like the skater on the ice, finds a way to glide over life’s challenges, transforming the cold, barren landscape into a playground. This image resonates because it echoes our own subconscious desire to defy the constraints of our environment and to revel in moments of fleeting joy.