Drie mannen in een herberg 1655 - 1706

Editor: So, this is "Three Men in an Inn," an etching and lithograph print by Jan van Somer, created somewhere between 1655 and 1706. It strikes me as a rather boisterous scene, like a snapshot of daily life. How do you read this image? Curator: What I see here is a glimpse into the social and political functions of taverns during the Dutch Golden Age. These weren't just places for drinking; they were vital spaces for the working class. We see how class identity is being performed. What are these men discussing? Are they plotting resistance or merely escaping the day's drudgery? Look at the owl in the picture frame— what's being invoked? Editor: Resistance? That's interesting. I mostly noticed the light and shadow and the men’s expressions, especially the one clutching the jug. Why resistance specifically? Curator: Because these scenes weren’t always innocuous. Genre paintings like these often carried subversive messages. Notice how the men are presented, not as individuals, but as types. This resonates with broader issues of representation and visibility. How are marginalized communities given space and respect? This scene of apparent joviality also reminds us of historical realities. Editor: I see what you mean. The men look quite jovial, maybe a little rough around the edges. So, it’s not just about the fun but about who gets to have that fun and at what cost? Curator: Exactly. And it also brings into question who produced the print and for whom. By exploring the historical and social context of this print, we start to recognize our contemporary realities. Where do we find the same types of social dynamics? Editor: That connection makes me see it in a whole new light. I came in thinking "old tavern scene" but I am leaving thinking about identity, space, resistance. Curator: And that, precisely, is the point. It is essential to draw the connections between past artistic representations and contemporary societal problems.