Artwork
Der Raucher
Der Raucher is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Peter Jacob Horemans. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1764, *Der Raucher* is an oil painting by Peter Jacob Horemans, a Flemish artist who spent much of his career in Germany serving aristocratic patrons. Executed during the late Rococo, the work exemplifies the painter’s focus on intimate, everyday moments rather than grand historical narratives. It is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a solitary gentleman seated at a table, pipe in hand, absorbed in quiet contemplation. He wears a long coat and a tricorn hat that rests on the chair’s back, while a jug, mug, and a modest plate of food occupy the tabletop. The scene reflects the Rococo fascination with leisurely domestic life and the private rituals of the middle‑class.
Technique & Style
Horemans renders the figure’s face with meticulous brushwork, capturing fine details of expression and texture. The surrounding objects are painted with a restrained palette, allowing the soft lighting to model the folds of the coat and the sheen of the metal jug. The composition balances realism with the delicate elegance typical of Rococo genre scenes.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the market for private collectors who favored genre works depicting quotidian subjects. It later became part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it has remained on public display, contributing to the museum’s representation of 18th‑century Flemish artists active in Germany.
Context
Horemans, known for portraits, still lifes, and city views, frequently painted smokers, a motif that resonated with contemporary tastes for scenes of personal indulgence. *Der Raucher* aligns with the broader European trend of portraying individuals in moments of relaxed introspection, a theme that appealed to the sensibilities of Enlightenment-era patrons.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Jacob Horemans or Peter Jakob Horemans (25 October 1700 – 3 August 1776) was a Flemish painter of genre scenes, portraits, conversation pieces, still lives and city views.
A Musical Gathering at the Court of the Elector Karl Albrecht of Bavaria
Stillleben mit weiblicher Figur mit Blumen
Stillleben mit weiblicher Figur
Stillleben mit Früchten und toten Vögeln
Früchtestück
Stillleben mit Schweinskeule und Eichhörnchen
Stillleben mit Krebsen
Stillleben mit Schweinskeule und Papagei
