Artwork
Interior of an Inn

Interior of an Inn is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1750 by the artist catalogued as 30382_person, this oil painting depicts the interior of a modest inn.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1750 by the artist catalogued as 30382_person, this oil painting depicts the interior of a modest inn. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of everyday social life in the mid‑eighteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a dimly lit room where several figures gather around wooden tables, engaged in card games and conversation. A dog rests near one of the tables, while assorted objects—such as a hat and a pair of scissors—occupy the shelves, suggesting a lived‑in atmosphere. The scene conveys a sense of communal intimacy within a cramped, bustling space.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a pronounced contrast between light and darkness, allowing illuminated faces to emerge from surrounding shadows. This chiaroscuro effect creates a three‑dimensional impression of depth, emphasizing the texture of the wooden furniture and the warm glow of the interior lighting. The palette is restrained, dominated by earthy browns and muted tones.
History & Provenance
Attributed to an anonymous creator identified only by a catalogue number, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through a mid‑20th‑century acquisition. Its provenance prior to that point remains undocumented, and the work has been referenced primarily in studies of genre scenes that illustrate social interaction in public houses of the period.
Artist & collection

















