Who painted Seated Peasant with Jug?

Seated Peasant with Jug was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1763.

Where can I see Seated Peasant with Jug?

Seated Peasant with Jug is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Seated Peasant with Jug?

Seated Peasant with Jug is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Seated Peasant with Jug

Jacobus Buys , 1763

Seated Peasant with Jug is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s etching, Seated Peasant with Jug, dates from around 1763. Executed in black ink on laid paper, the work is printed from one of a set of six plates. The image centers on a solitary figure, a peasant seated on a chair, holding a jug in his right hand.

Subject & Meaning

The peasant is rendered in traditional rural dress—a hat, long‑sleeved shirt, and crossed legs—conveying a moment of quiet repose. His calm expression and relaxed posture suggest a dignified everyday existence, focusing attention on the simple act of holding a jug.

Technique & Style

The piece employs the etching and roulette technique, allowing fine line work and subtle tonal variations. The black ink on the textured laid paper creates a clear contrast, emphasizing the figure’s contours and the details of his clothing without any background distraction.

History & Provenance

Printed as part of a limited series of six impressions, the work bears Ploos van Amstel’s signature in the lower right corner, confirming authorship. The etching reflects the artist’s interest in genre scenes that were popular in mid‑18th‑century Dutch art.

Context

While not strictly Romantic, the image shares the period’s interest in portraying ordinary people with realism and attention to detail. Such genre prints offered viewers a glimpse into rural life, aligning with contemporary tastes for relatable, everyday subjects.