Artwork
Interior of a Tavern
Interior of a Tavern is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Peder Severin Krøyer. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a bustling tavern interior where a merchant and a man sit at a table surrounded by a bottle, pipe, kerosene lamp, cup, and bench.
The painting shows a bustling tavern interior where a merchant and a man sit at a table surrounded by a bottle, pipe, kerosene lamp, cup, and bench. These objects function as symbols of everyday commerce and domestic leisure in late‑19th‑century Danish life. The scene captures a moment of social interaction, reflecting the informal camaraderie found in such establishments.
The work is part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection, acquired through the bequest of John G. Johnson.
Technique & Style
Peder Severin Krøyer painted Interior of a Tavern in 1886 using oil paint on canvas, a standard support for his genre scenes. The work depicts a merchant, table, bottle, pipe, kerosene lamp, bench, man, and cup, rendered with careful handling that emphasizes texture and domestic realism. Its formal qualities include balanced composition and naturalistic lighting typical of late 19th‑century Danish genre painting.
The canvas measures 85.7 cm by 114.3 cm and was originally owned by John G. Johnson before entering the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Interior of a Tavern is an oil painting by Peder Severin Krøyer dated 1886, with its inception recorded as 1886-01-01. The provenance chain traces the work to the collection of John G. Johnson, a noted American art collector, before it entered the holdings of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it is currently housed. No commission details are documented in the available sources.
Interior of a Tavern, painted by Peder Severin Krøyer in 1886, is held by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The work entered the museum's collection through the holdings of John G. Johnson, the noted Philadelphia collector whose art collection was bequeathed to the city and subsequently transferred to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
No specific accession number or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Interior of a Tavern is a genre painting executed in oil by Peder Severin Krøyer in 1894. The work captures a serene, intimate scene within a dimly lit tavern, focusing on the interactions and ambiance of the space.
Context
The work reflects Krøyer's interest in capturing everyday life scenes, characteristic of late 19th-century genre painting. The setting, with its rough wooden walls, faded signage, and natural light streaming through a small window, adds to the sense of realism and ordinary life.
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