Who painted Drunken Peasant at an Inn?

Drunken Peasant at an Inn was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1775.

Where can I see Drunken Peasant at an Inn?

Drunken Peasant at an Inn is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Drunken Peasant at an Inn?

Drunken Peasant at an Inn is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Drunken Peasant at an Inn

Jacobus Buys , 1775

Drunken Peasant at an Inn is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Executed on laid paper with brown ink, the work combines etching, mezzotint, and roulette techniques, finished by burnishing.

Created in 1775, Drunken Peasant at an Inn is a print by Dutch artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. Executed on laid paper with brown ink, the work combines etching, mezzotint, and roulette techniques, finished by burnishing. The composition presents a solitary peasant seated at a tavern table, his posture and expression suggesting inebriation, while the surrounding details evoke the modest interior of an 18th‑century inn.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a rural laborer, rendered with a slouched posture and a half‑filled mug before him. His weary face and relaxed limbs convey a moment of temporary escape from daily toil. By focusing on this unidealized individual, the print offers a candid glimpse into everyday social life, highlighting the customs of communal drinking and the informal atmosphere of local inns.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed a layered approach: a fine etched line work defines the figure and furnishings, while mezzotint provides rich tonal depth in shadows and the brown ink unifies the surface. The roulette tool adds texture to the background, and selective burnishing creates highlights that draw attention to the peasant’s clothing and the gleam of the mug. This blend of methods results in a nuanced, atmospheric rendering.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the latter part of Ploos van Amstel’s career, a period when he explored genre scenes of Dutch daily life. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has appeared in several 19th‑century collections of Dutch prints, reflecting continued interest in his detailed depictions of ordinary subjects.

Context

In the late 18th century, Dutch printmakers often turned to genre subjects to document social customs. Ploos van Amstel’s focus on a solitary peasant aligns with contemporary interests in realism and the moralizing potential of everyday scenes, contrasting with the grand historical or religious themes dominant in earlier Dutch art.