Artwork
Couples making love at a country inn

Couples making love at a country inn is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Aert Pietersz. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1580, Couples making love at a country inn is executed in oil paint on a panel support.
Created in 1580, Couples making love at a country inn is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work measures 23.5 cm in height and 25.5 cm in width, presenting a compact format typical of genre scenes from this period. Classified as a genre painting, the piece depicts domestic intimacy within an inn setting.
While attribution discussions have involved Aert Pietersz, Pieter Pietersz the Elder, and Marten van Cleve, the physical execution remains consistent with late 16th-century Netherlandish oil techniques on wood.
History & Provenance
The painting Couples making love at a country inn was created in 1580 by Aert Pietersz. While some records also associate Pieter Pietersz the Elder and Marten van Cleve with the work's creation, it is primarily attributed to Aert Pietersz. Executed in oil on panel, the piece measures 23.5 by 25.5 centimeters.
Regarding its ownership history, the work was at one point held in the collection of Abraham Bredius. It currently resides in the Rijksmuseum, where it is classified as a genre scene depicting daily life.
The painting Couples making love at a country inn is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1580 by Aert Pietersz, the work was previously owned by Abraham Bredius before entering the museum's holdings. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory or accession numbers for the piece, nor do they list any exhibitions in which the work has been displayed.
Overview
Couples making love at a country inn is a 1590 oil painting by Aert Pietersz, depicting a lively interior scene of a rustic inn. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a moment of intimacy between a couple seated at a table, set amidst the daily activities of the inn. The inclusion of other patrons and a cow underscores the communal, everyday nature of the setting.
Context
As a genre scene, the painting reflects 16th-century Dutch interest in depicting ordinary life. The rustic inn setting and mix of activities highlight the artist's focus on capturing the mundane and intimate.
Legacy
While specific influences or direct artistic lineage are not outlined, the work contributes to the broader tradition of Dutch genre painting, notable for its use of chiaroscuro in domestic and public interior scenes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
This Dutch painter turned everyday scenes and dignified portraits into vivid stories on wood panels in the late 1500s and early 1600s.













