Artwork
The Peasant Who Blew Hot and Cold (copy after Aegidius Sadeler)
The Peasant Who Blew Hot and Cold (copy after Aegidius Sadeler) is a drawing by the Baroque artist Aegidius Sadeler II. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1610, *The Peasant Who Blew Hot and Cold* is an engraving by Flemish artist Aegidius Sadeler II. Produced while Sadeler was employed at the court of Rudolf II in Prague, the work is part of his extensive series of reproductive prints. A copy of the engraving is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a rustic figure caught in the act of warming his hands by blowing on them. The solitary peasant, rendered in a simple setting, reflects the genre interest of the early seventeenth century in everyday life and the modest activities of lower‑class individuals.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine line work typical of late‑Renaissance engraving, the piece balances delicate hatching with stronger contours to suggest texture and depth. The composition’s restrained lighting and clear detailing align it with early Baroque tendencies toward realism and modest drama.
History & Provenance
Sadeler, a prolific printmaker known for reproducing works of other artists, produced this engraving during his tenure at the imperial court. The Cleveland Museum of Art acquired the print as part of its collection of early modern European prints, though the exact acquisition date is not recorded in the available sources.
Context
The early 1600s saw a rise in genre scenes that depicted ordinary people engaged in quotidian tasks. Sadeler’s print fits within this trend, offering a visual record of peasant life that would have appealed to collectors interested in both the novelty of everyday subjects and the technical skill of Flemish engravers.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors.
