Zittende man naast een tafel 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot made this red chalk drawing of a seated man in the 18th century. In the Dutch Republic at this time, the art world was dominated by institutions like the Guild of Saint Luke. Reysschoot was a member of this powerful organization, and the drawing embodies many qualities valued by the Guild. It seems to depict a wealthy man by the table. If we look closely, we can even see that he is wearing an expensive wig and jacket. The artist may be making a statement about the social structure of the time. Is the man longing for something more, or does he appreciate what he has? To understand this work fully, we need to consider the social conditions of artistic production in the 1700s. Researching the Guild of Saint Luke and Dutch fashion could offer further insights into the drawing's meaning.