Artwork
Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard
Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter de Hooch. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Pieter de Hooch’s oil painting, dated 1663, depicts an interior scene in which two women are arranging linen beside a substantial oak cupboard. The work measures roughly 30 by 28 inches and is presently held by the Amsterdam Museum, on long‑term loan to the Rijksmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a mature woman storing folded cloth in a richly inlaid chest, assisted by a young girl—presumably her daughter—who carries a basket of linen. A child at the open doorway plays with a stick and a ball, suggesting a quiet domestic routine typical of a well‑ordered Dutch household.
Technique & Style
De Hooch employs a restrained palette and careful modelling of light, creating a calm atmosphere without the high‑key brilliance seen in some of his other interiors. The rendering of wood grain, textiles, and the subtle gradations of shadow demonstrate his precise draftsmanship and finish.
History & Provenance
First recorded by Hofstede de Groot in 1908, the painting passed through several owners, including Baron Lockhorst in Rotterdam (1726) and the Dutch collector Joachim Rendorp in the late 18th century. It entered the collection of Six van Hilleg before being acquired by the Amsterdam Museum, where it has been exhibited since the 19th century.
Context
The scene reflects the 17th‑century Dutch emphasis on orderly household management and the social role of women in overseeing domestic affairs. De Hooch’s focus on interior spaces and everyday activities aligns with the broader genre‑painting tradition of the Dutch Golden Age.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Hendricksz. de Hooch (Dutch: ; also spelled Hoogh or Hooghe; bapt. 20 December 1629 – after 1683), was a Dutch Golden Age painter famous for his genre works of quiet domestic scenes with an open doorway. He was a…
