Soldiers Breaking into a Peasant's Cottage
1645
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This painting shows a group of soldiers in a dim, cluttered room. One man in a red coat and hat is reaching toward a well-dressed soldier, who stands stiffly with his hand on the man’s shoulder. Others in the room watch—some leaning on a table, others looking worried or amused. The walls are dark, and a half-empty boat hangs on one side. The soldiers’ bright red and gray clothes stand out against the shadowy background, making them look powerful. The scene feels tense, like something’s about to happen. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and dark like this.
