An Old Peasant caresses a Kitchen Maid in a Stable

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Notes

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David Teniers the Younger made his fortune painting bawdy scenes like this one. They were popular with wealthy collectors who were proud of their own good manners compared with those ascribed to peasants (they also found the pictures amusing).

The unfortunate young woman on her knees has lost a shoe – perhaps in her efforts to scour yet another pot, but more likely startled by the unwelcome advances of the old man. This painting may be a slice of life, but it could also derive from the comic stock characters performed by companies of Italian strolling players, the commedia dell'arte. The peasant in this picture resembles Pantalone, or Pantaloon, a stupid old man with a bulbous nose and white beard. But the jaunty feather in his cap here suggests he is crafty enough to take advantage of any situation, especially one involving a woman.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

An Old Peasant caresses a Kitchen Maid in a Stable

Date

about 1650

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 43.2 x W 64.9 cm

Accession number

NG862

Acquisition method

Bought, 1871

Work type

Painting

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