OSTADE, Isaack van
(b. 1621, Haarlem, d. 1649, Haarlem)

Interior of a Peasant House

1640
Oil on oak, 44,6 x 39,5 cm
Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest

In this almost monochrom, brownish-yellowish painting a collection of objects of the everyday life of the peasants can be seen.

This peasant room is warm and large like a barn and contains a collection of everything necessary for feeding men and animals. Basket, barrel, trough, broken jug, pail, ladder, tools and fodder have been hoarded by the farmer with all the collecting instinct of a hamster. He and his family are grouped round the fireplace trying to get warm, and the man's stance, though awkward, seems to indicate that he is master of his rather poor house. The colours are all different shades of brown and yellow.

The painting is signed lower right: Isak van Ostade 1640.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 26 minutes):
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata BWV 212 (Bauernkantate)