Artwork

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool, by Adriaen van Ostade, ink, 1671
Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool, by Adriaen van Ostade, ink, 1671

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool is an ink print by the Baroque artist Adriaen van Ostade. It dates from 1671 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:in plate, in image at lower right: AvO; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: B 25, Dav III; lower center, in graphite by a later hand: remarkably fine; bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: 834; bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: [passed?]

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1671, this print by Adriaen van Ostade presents a modest domestic scene set before a modest dwelling. Two peasants are shown: a man standing to the left of a seated woman who is occupied with winding wool. The house behind them features a broad doorway, several windows, and a tree to the right, framing the quiet activity.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of everyday labor, emphasizing the routine tasks of rural life. By focusing on the simple act of winding wool, Ostade highlights the dignity of ordinary work and invites contemplation of the private, unremarkable moments that constitute daily existence for common folk.

Technique & Style

Executed primarily as an etching on laid paper, the image incorporates selective dry‑point lines that enrich texture and deepen shadows. The delicate, fine lines and subtle tonal gradations convey a calm atmosphere, while the dry‑point adds a slightly rougher quality that accentuates the figures and architectural details.

History & Provenance

Adriaen van Ostade, a Dutch artist renowned for genre scenes, produced this work during the later phase of his career. The print has circulated among collectors of 17th‑century Dutch prints and is documented in several museum collections, reflecting its continued relevance as an example of Ostade’s printmaking.

Two Peasant Women Conversing on a Village Street
Two Peasant Women Conversing on a Village Street, Adriaen van Ostade

Artist & collection

Portrait of Adriaen van Ostade

Artist

Adriaen van Ostade

Adriaen van Ostade (baptized as Adriaen Jansz Hendricx 10 December 1610 – buried 2 May 1685) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre works, showing the everyday life of ordinary men and women.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool?

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool was painted by Adriaen van Ostade in 1671.

Where can I see Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool?

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool?

Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool?

Museum-quality prints of Two Peasants Outside a House, the Woman Winding Wool are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.