Artwork
The Drinker
The Drinker 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
The Drinker is a 1648 etching on laid paper by Cornelis Pietersz Bega, a Dutch Golden Age artist from Haarlem.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a solitary, rustic figure enjoying a drink in a simple, suggested tavern or rural setting, reflecting Bega's penchant for genre scenes of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the piece showcases Bega's use of this technique to convey detail and atmosphere, characteristic of his training under Adriaen van Ostade.
History & Provenance
Created in Haarlem in 1648, the etching emerges from Bega's background in a family of artists (son of a sculptor/goldsmith, grandson of painter Cornelis van Haarlem) and his apprenticeship with van Ostade.
Context
The Drinker aligns with the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with genre scenes, offering a glimpse into the daily life of common people through Bega's sympathetic portrayal.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of The Drinker are not provided, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Bega's contribution to Dutch etching and genre painting traditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Pietersz Bega, or Cornelis Pietersz Begijn (1631/32 – 27 August 1664) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver.
