Artwork

Sitting Man with His Hat in His Right Hand

Sitting Man with His Hat in His Right Hand, by Cornelis Pietersz Bega, ink, 1648
Sitting Man with His Hat in His Right Hand, by Cornelis Pietersz Bega, ink, 1648

Sitting Man with His Hat in His Right Hand is an ink print by the Baroque artist Cornelis Pietersz Bega. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sitting Man with His Hat in His Right Hand is an etching on laid paper created by Cornelis Pietersz Bega in 1648. The work is characteristic of Bega's genre scenes, which often feature everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a seated man with his hat in one hand and his head resting on the other arm. His worn clothing and the presence of a small pot or jug suggest a humble or rustic setting.

Technique & Style

The etching technique used by Bega allows ink to fill carved lines, creating sharp shadows and textures. The resulting image has a rough, hand-drawn quality, with dark lines that give the scene depth.

History & Provenance

Bega, a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver from Haarlem, trained under Adriaen van Ostade. He was the son of a sculptor and goldsmith, and his work often focused on individual or paired subjects in everyday settings.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Cornelis Pietersz Bega

Artist

Cornelis Pietersz Bega

Cornelis Pietersz Bega, or Cornelis Pietersz Begijn (1631/32 – 27 August 1664) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.