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A Peasant holding a Jug and a Pipe

Adriaen van Ostade (1610–1685)

The National Gallery, London

A Peasant holding a Jug and a Pipe

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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In this exuberant painting of a peasant, Adriaen van Ostade shows his ability to portray the human condition. We sense the giddiness of the drunken peasant as he sweeps backwards, jug open to drink straight from its neck. His mouth is gaping and his eyes are watery and unfocused, but he’s happy.Van Ostade has displayed different textures with almost tangible reality: the glossy, weighty earthenware jug; the flesh of the hand; the creases in the sleeve and the fur collar above. Hair peeps out from the leather cap beneath the tall felt hat. The face itself is not just caricature, but seemingly flesh and blood -- the slack mouth, the taut red skin of the swollen nose, the sunken, wrinkled eyes and cheeks, and the protruding Adam’s apple. He may be an entertaining, nameless character, but he’s a real person with whom we can engage.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A Peasant holding a Jug and a Pipe

Date

about 1650-5

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 26.8 x W 22 cm

Accession number

NG2543

Acquisition method

Salting Bequest, 1910

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Adriaen van Ostade

1610–1685

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