Drinkende dominicaan - Jacob Gole

A satirical mezzotint by Dutch artist Jacob Gole, depicting a Dominican friar indulging in a drink, complete with an ironic inscription and French verse.

This mezzotint by Jacob Gole, titled 'Drinkende dominicaan' or 'Le Pere Dominique', captures a satirical take on religious figures common in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Gole, a Dutch engraver and publisher active in Amsterdam, was known for his technical proficiency in the mezzotint process, a method that allows for subtle gradations of tone and light.

The image depicts a Dominican friar in a circular frame, caught in the act of drinking from a glass. His expression is one of indulgence, contrasting with the traditional expectations of monastic austerity. A small plaque hanging around his neck bears the inscription 'Ora pro nobis' (pray for us), which adds a layer of irony to the scene. Below the circular portrait, the text provides a humorous verse in French, suggesting the friar drinks to the health of the King to earn his indulgence, while challenging others to join him in a drinking contest.

Technically, the work demonstrates the characteristic velvety blacks and soft highlights of the mezzotint medium. Gole uses the technique to model the friar's face, emphasising the texture of his skin and the folds of his habit. The composition is contained within a circular border, a common format for character studies of the period. This print reflects the popular taste for genre scenes that poked fun at social and religious archetypes. It serves as a record of the satirical print culture that flourished in the Netherlands during this era, where artists often used humour to comment on human nature and social hierarchies. The print remains a fine example of Gole's ability to combine technical skill with a sharp, observational wit.