Men in Vermeer’s paintings seldom command the scene; usually, their fairer counterparts have control. For instance, look at the headgear of the figures in Man and Woman Drinking Wine.
The hat, in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, was a symbol of authority and masculinity. The word “hat” in Dutch could even denote a man; “coif,” a woman. This man’s hat is perched prominently on his head, but he wears it without any roguish charm or winning charm. The woman’s cap in this picture is an informal one, worn around the house to protect the hair, and removed for outings and events.
His hat makes him seem stiff; hers makes her seem careless. Examining more details enforces the general picture: he his standing stiffly, hand on hip. Perhaps, in his wooing attempts, he has tried the music in the foreground already and is now desperately trying wine. But she slouches, she ignores him. He will not win this round.
