Artwork
Peasants Smoking in an Inn
Peasants Smoking in an Inn is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist David Teniers the Younger. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peasants Smoking in an Inn is a small painting by David Teniers the Younger, depicting everyday life in 17th-century Flanders.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows two men smoking in a dimly lit inn, with a younger man appearing to have overindulged in tobacco. The novelty and controversy surrounding tobacco smoking in the 1600s made it a popular subject for Flemish artists.
Technique & Style
Teniers' work is characterized by its focus on rustic Flemish life, capturing everyday moments with attention to detail.
Context
Tobacco, introduced from the Americas and East Indies, was believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in 'waterish places' like Antwerp, but its use was also criticized for its health and moral implications.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Teniers the Younger or David Teniers II was a Flemish Baroque painter, printmaker, and artist.
