Artwork
Peasant Family Entertained by a Fiddler with a Hunchback
Peasant Family Entertained by a Fiddler with a Hunchback is an ink print by the Baroque artist Adriaen van Ostade. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peasant Family Entertained by a Fiddler with a Hunchback is an etching on laid paper created by Adriaen van Ostade around 1652. It is a representative work of the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing the artist's focus on everyday life.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a peasant family gathered around a fiddler in a cluttered room, while a hunchbacked man observes from outside. The scene captures a moment of rustic entertainment, highlighting the artist's interest in genre scenes.
Technique & Style
The artwork was created using the etching technique, which involves scratching a wax-covered metal plate and then treating it with acid to produce the desired lines and shading. The resulting print features varied textures and shading, with sketchy lines used to suggest the background.
Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van Ostade (baptized as Adriaen Jansz Hendricx 10 December 1610 – buried 2 May 1685) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre works, showing the everyday life of ordinary men and women.
