Arkivism
Two South African Khoisan men; one smokes a pipe
Public domain

Two South African Khoisan men; one smokes a pipe

Esaias Boursse · 1662 · brush; paper; ink

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The artist has drawn spots on the face of the man on the left; he may have albinism. The man wears a small loincloth and a wide cloth around his shoulders and upper body reaching over his hips. It may be a cloth of textile with frayed edges, or the traditional leather cloak of the Khoisan. Under the cloak his genital covering is visible. The man on the right sits crouched on the slope. Except for his right shoulder and arm, he is completely wrapped in a wide cloak (textile or animal skin) reaching over his knees. Both his feet are still visible. Between his lips he holds a Gouda pipe with a short broken stem. Smoke curls from the pipe bowl. Sheet 98 from a sketchbook with 117 sheets.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineTwo South African Khoisan men; one smokes a pipe. 1662. Esaias Boursse. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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