Pijprokende officier (Officer Smoking a Pipe) - Cornelis van Noorde

A refined eighteenth-century etching by Cornelis van Noorde, depicting a seated officer enjoying a pipe at a table.

This etching by the Dutch artist Cornelis van Noorde depicts a seated officer, captured in a moment of quiet leisure. The figure sits at a table, holding a long-stemmed pipe, with a bottle and a glass positioned nearby. The composition is spare, focusing on the posture and character of the subject rather than an elaborate setting. Van Noorde, active in the mid-eighteenth century, demonstrates a clear command of line and shadow, using economical strokes to define the folds of the officer's coat and the relaxed angle of his legs.

The work is historically associated with the output of Cornelis Troost, a contemporary whose influence on Dutch genre painting and printmaking was considerable. The inscription on the original print notes that it was executed in copper after a drawing by Troost, dated 1765. This piece offers a glimpse into the social customs of the period, where the act of smoking and drinking in a tavern or domestic setting was a common subject for artists documenting daily life. The print reflects the tradition of Dutch genre art, which favoured the observation of ordinary people in unpretentious circumstances.

As a fine art print, this image retains the character of the original etching, preserving the delicate marks of the needle on the plate. The monochromatic palette and the focus on human gesture make it a suitable addition for those interested in historical printmaking techniques or the social history of the Netherlands. The work is a study in simplicity, providing a direct connection to the artistic practices of the eighteenth century without the need for complex narrative or ornamentation.