Who painted Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell)?

Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) was painted by Jan Ekels the Younger in 1791-01-01.

Where can I see Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell)?

Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell)?

Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell)?

Museum-quality prints of Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) by Jan Ekels the Younger (1791)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 65.

Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) by Jan Ekels the Younger, painted in 1791, depicts a man and a woman situated within an interior setting, with smoking explicitly identified as a depicted action. The pairing of figures within a domestic interior, combined with the act of smoking, situates the work within the Dutch tradition of refined conversation pieces that observed everyday social rituals of the late eighteenth century. The inclusion of smoking as a recognizable sensory activity visually anchors the painting's identification with the sense of smell, framing the scene as a quiet study of olfactory experience among the figures.

As one of a series addressing the senses, the work represents a moment of shared sensory engagement, using the everyday gesture of smoking to give tangible form to an otherwise invisible sense.

The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 65.7 cm in height by 59.7 cm in width, and dated to 23 December 1791.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas in 1791, the work exemplifies late eighteenth-century Dutch genre painting through its refined handling of light and texture. The artist employs a smooth, evenly applied paint layer with subtle glazing to render the satin gown and polished furniture, while broader, fluid brushwork animates the drapery and foliage. Compositionally, the scene is organized around a central seated woman whose profile is set against a softly illuminated interior, with the male figure positioned to the right; the shallow space and controlled recession underscore the tableau’s intimate, staged quality. The palette is restrained, favoring muted earth tones punctuated by accents of deep crimson and emerald green.

History & Provenance

Jan Ekels the Younger's painting Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell), created in 1791, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed in oil on canvas, measures 65.7 cm in height and 59.7 cm in width. While the specific accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum's location is confirmed as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The painting depicts an interior scene featuring a man and a woman, with the man engaged in smoking. No specific exhibition history or past loan records are detailed in the provided sources, limiting the historical narrative to its current institutional custody and physical dimensions.

Overview

Jan Ekels the Younger completed Conversation Piece (The Sense of Smell) in 1796, an oil painting that captures an intimate interior scene. This work, characteristic of the Rococo movement, is currently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. It exemplifies the artist's focus on genre scenes, depicting figures engaged in a moment of social interaction within a domestic setting, inviting viewers to interpret the subtle narrative unfolding.

Context

Jan Ekels the Younger, a Dutch painter and draftsman, developed his artistic foundation under his father's tutelage in Amsterdam. His subsequent studies in Paris broadened his perspective, introducing him to the emerging trends of French neoclassicism. Despite this exposure, Ekels maintained a strong connection to the Dutch tradition of genre scenes, skillfully blending these influences to create works like Conversation Piece, which resonates with both historical precedent and contemporary artistic currents of his time.