Artwork
Merry Company
Merry Company is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Pieterszoon Buytewech. It dates from 1618 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Merry Company is a 1618 oil painting by Willem Pieterszoon Buytewech, a prominent Dutch Golden Age painter. The work depicts a genre scene of four individuals in a dimly lit, cozy room, characterized by the artist's attention to light and shadow, creating a lively yet intimate atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a relaxed gathering of four people, including two women and two men, accompanied by a dog. Their interactions and attire suggest a casual, everyday moment, typical of the 'merry company' genre, which Buytewech helped establish.
Technique & Style
Buytewech employed chiaroscuro to dynamic effect, emphasizing the interplay of light and dark to animate the scene. This is evident in the illumination of faces, the rich red dress, and the textures of fabrics, contributing to the work's sense of depth and warmth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1618, during the flourishing of Dutch genre painting, Merry Company is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Buytewech's early specialization in 'merry company' subjects contributed to the popularity of this genre.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Willem Pieterszoon (abbr. Pietersz.) Buytewech (1591/'92 – 23 September 1624) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, draughtsman and etcher. He is one of the early specialists in the merry company type of subject in Dutch…
