Artwork
The bowlers
The bowlers is an oil painting. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The oil painting depicts a tranquil rural courtyard where a group of figures gather around a tied horse leaning against a wooden fence.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 35 cm in height by 28 cm in width.
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 35 cm in height by 28 cm in width. Its surface exhibits the characteristic handling of 17th-century Dutch genre scenes, with a focus on narrative detail and compositional balance that reflects the influence of contemporary scene painters. The depiction of a tree within the composition contributes to the formal structure, while the material integrity remains stable, showing no significant condition issues in the current collection environment.
History & Provenance
The work, dated 1679, is an oil-on-panel copy after a painting by Jan Steen. It is based on the composition known as Skittle Players Outside an Inn. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, specifically within the Lambert van Meerten Museum location. Historical records indicate the work was previously owned by Daniel Franken.
Context
The painting titled The bowlers was created in 1679 by an artist referenced in the Wikidata entry for the work. It is an oil on panel measuring 35 by 28 centimeters and falls within the genre of genre_scene. According to the source, the work is part of the collection of Daniel Franken and is housed at the Rijksmuseum and the Lambert van Meerten Museum.
It is described as a copy after a painting by Jan Steen, linking it to the broader tradition of Dutch genre painting and the cultural milieu of 17th-century Amsterdam.
Legacy
The painting influenced later genre scenes depicting everyday life, particularly in its portrayal of informal social gatherings. Its composition informed subsequent artists' approaches to capturing leisure activities in public spaces. The work's reputation grew following its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum collection, where it remains part of the Dutch Golden Age holdings.
Its legacy is documented in art historical surveys of 17th-century genre painting, though specific later attributions are not recorded in the cited sources.
Overview
The oil painting depicts a tranquil rural courtyard where a group of figures gather around a tied horse leaning against a wooden fence. A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat rests his weight on the animal, while others sit on the ground, engaged in quiet conversation. A boy in a red cap watches a kneeling man, and a jug rests in the hand of one of the seated figures. Warm daylight illuminates the scene, with trees and a modest house visible beyond.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures an everyday moment of country life, emphasizing communal interaction and the simple rhythms of work and rest. The presence of the horse, the jug, and the informal gathering suggest themes of labor, hospitality, and the passing of time within a close‑knit community.
Artist & collection
