Artwork
Bønder ved et bord. De fem sanser: Smagssansen
Bønder ved et bord. De fem sanser: Smagssansen is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Anthonie Victoryns. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. ‘Bønder ved et bord.
About this work
Overview
‘Bønder ved et bord. De fem sanser: Smagssansen’ is an oil painting executed in 1646 by the Dutch artist Anthonie Victoryns. The work forms part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it is displayed among the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century European art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a group of peasants gathered around a table, engaged in the act of eating. As the third installment of Victoryns’s series on the five senses, this piece visualises taste, inviting viewers to contemplate everyday nourishment and the sensory experience of food within a rural setting.
Technique & Style
Victoryns employs a naturalistic approach characteristic of mid‑Baroque Dutch painting, using muted earth tones and careful chiaroscuro to model the figures. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of the table’s objects with broader strokes that suggest the surrounding interior, creating a cohesive yet lively scene.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection through acquisition in the early 20th century, though the exact path of ownership prior to its museum purchase remains undocumented. Its presence in the national collection underscores the institution’s commitment to representing Northern European genre painting.
Context
The work belongs to a broader tradition of Dutch genre scenes that highlighted daily life and moral themes. By focusing on the sense of taste, Victoryns aligns with contemporary allegorical series that used ordinary activities to explore human perception and the virtues associated with moderation and communal sharing.
Artist & collection
