Four Peasants in a Cellar

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Adriaen Brouwer worked in Antwerp from 1631. This painting used to be attributed to him, but is now believed to be by another, somewhat clumsier hand – perhaps one of his apprentices imitating his style. The picture is similar to those usually depicted by Brouwer: humorous everyday scenes of peasants drinking or, sometimes, brawling, such as Tavern Scene (also in the National Gallery’s collection).

In this example, however, the artist has set up a clear contrast between the three peasants lounging in the foreground – one asleep, one drinking, one smoking – and the vignette we can see through the open door. Here, three men are working hard, hoisting a heavy bale which is attached to a pulley suspended outside a house. The fourth peasant referred to in the title is hard to see, but appears to be a woman bent over her work in the shadows on the right.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Four Peasants in a Cellar

Date

probably 1630s

Medium

Oil on wood

Measurements

H 27.7 x W 22 cm

Accession number

NG2569

Acquisition method

Salting Bequest, 1910

Work type

Painting

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