Artwork
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume is an unspecified painting by the Biedermeier artist Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
People in old-fashioned clothes sit around a table—one man flirts, another smokes a pipe, a dog naps at his feet.
You see a busy inn, lit by warm candlelight. People in old-fashioned clothes sit around a table—one man flirts, another smokes a pipe, a dog naps at his feet. Clay jugs hang on the wall.
This painting was made in 1848, but it’s dressed up like the 1600s. The artist probably never saw that time—it’s a guess, a costume drama on canvas. The details feel real, though: the way light glows on the jugs, the dog’s curled tail.
If you like these cozy scenes, look up the Rijksmuseum—they have more rooms full of them.
Overview
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume is a painting depicting a lively, candlelit inn scene, populated by individuals in 17th-century attire, despite being created in 1848.
Subject & Meaning
The scene focuses on everyday life, showcasing a young man courting a woman at a table, while another man smokes a pipe with a dog at his feet, highlighting social interaction and leisure in a historical setting.
Technique & Style
The artist employs warm candlelight to create a cozy atmosphere, demonstrating attention to detail in the glow on clay jugs and the dog's posture, blending realism with a nostalgic, anachronistic setting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1848, the painting is a 19th-century interpretation of 17th-century life, suggesting the artist relied on imagination or existing artworks to recreate the period.
Context
This work aligns with a broader interest in historical, domestic scenes popular among certain collectors and museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, which houses similar compositions.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder
Ferdinand de Braekeleer (12 February 1792 – 16 May 1883), sometimes spelled as Ferdinand de Braeckeleer, was a Flemish painter and printmaker.
Self Portrait
Interior of an Inn, with Figures in Seventeenth-Century Costume
De zangers
The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French
Resting Hunter
The Village School
The Antwerp Castle in 1831
The Citadel of Antwerp shortly after the Siege of 19 November-23 December 1832, and the Surrender of the Dutch Garisson to the French
