‘The Skaters’: Peasants in an Interior

Unknown artist

c. 1656

oil on panel

Rijksmuseum

A group of peasants are gathered inside a rustic interior, with a fireplace and a window visible. Several figures are seated, while others stand, engaged in conversation or activity. Compared with the often ill-natured-looking drunkards of his teacher Adriaen Brouwer, the country folk in the paintings by Adriaen van Ostade are more mildmannered. They drink and smoke, but the atmosphere is generally peaceful. The pair of skates lying on the ground inspired the painting’s old, anecdotal title.