Artwork
Rauchende Bauern
Rauchende Bauern is an unspecified painting by Pieter Hermansz Verelst. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1653, *Rauchende Bauern* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Pieter Harmensz Verelst. The work portrays a modest interior scene in which a group of peasants gathers around a large barrel, sharing pipe smoke and drink. The composition is rendered in subdued lighting, emphasizing the intimate atmosphere of communal leisure.
Subject & Meaning
The figures, dressed in typical mid‑17th‑century attire, include men in caps and a woman with a headscarf, all seated in a dimly lit room. Their relaxed posture and shared pipe suggest a moment of camaraderie among rural folk, reflecting the genre tradition of depicting everyday life and its simple pleasures.
Technique & Style
Verelst employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and highlight the barrel’s surface. The palette is muted, dominated by earth tones, while the soft illumination creates depth and a sense of warmth. The brushwork is detailed in the clothing and facial expressions, yet remains fluid enough to convey the scene’s immediacy.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Pieter Harmensz Verelst, active during the Dutch Golden Age, was known for genre scenes; his artistic legacy continued through four sons who also pursued painting, extending the family’s contribution to Dutch art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Harmensz Verelst (c. 1616-1618, Dordrecht – 1668 in England) was a Dutch Golden Age painter. Four of his sons, Herman, Simon, John (1648-1679) and William (1651–1702), also became painters.
