Artwork

Peasants Merrymaking in a Tavern

Peasants Merrymaking in a Tavern, by Unknown, 1657
Peasants Merrymaking in a Tavern, by Unknown, 1657

Peasants Merrymaking in a Tavern is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Peasants Merrymaking in a Tavern, painted in 1657 by the artist recorded as 37789_person, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The canvas captures a bustling interior scene where a group of rural figures congregate around a low table, sharing food and drink under the glow of a single light source.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a communal feast among peasants, emphasizing conviviality and the everyday rituals of rural life. Figures are shown eating, drinking, and conversing, suggesting a moment of respite and social bonding within a modest tavern setting. The work reflects the social customs and hospitality of 17th‑century lower‑class gatherings.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, contrasting illuminated faces and hands with a shadowy background. Detailed rendering of expressions and gestures draws the viewer’s attention to the participants, while the indistinct shelves and bottles recede into darkness, creating depth and a sense of immediacy within the cramped space.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑17th century, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. Its attribution to 37789_person is based on archival records linking the work to the artist’s output in 1657, confirming its place within that period’s genre‑scene tradition.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known