Drie rokers 1670 - 1724

Jacob Gole made this print, ‘Three Smokers,’ in the Netherlands sometime between 1660 and 1737. We see three men gathered in a dimly lit space, all engrossed in the act of smoking tobacco. Consider how the image creates meaning through visual cues and cultural references. The Dutch Golden Age was a time of burgeoning trade and cultural exchange, and tobacco, imported from the Americas, became a popular commodity. The act of smoking here seems to represent leisure and social bonding. But it could also be seen as a commentary on the growing consumer culture and the moral implications of indulgence. Understanding this artwork requires us to delve into the social and economic history of the Netherlands during Gole's time. By exploring archival sources, period writings, and other visual materials, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values and social practices that shaped its creation and reception. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.