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Sense of Smell by Adriaen van Ostade

Adriaen van Ostade · 1635-01-01

Adriaen van Ostade’s 1635 oil painting, 'Sense of Smell,' captures a seemingly simple domestic moment in a Dutch home, now housed at the State Hermitage Museum. Most people focus on the central figures, but a hidden detail in the background expands the story.

At the heart of the scene, a woman is changing a baby's diaper, while a man covers his nose with a smoking pipe, alluding to the painting's title. But if you look deeper into the shadows, you'll spot a small, unassuming figure tending a fire, adding another layer of daily activity to this intimate setting.

Van Ostade, a master of Dutch Golden Age genre painting, was known for his detailed depictions of everyday life. His works often feature subtle observations and quiet moments, inviting viewers to explore the nuances of 17th-century domesticity.

This painting is a wonderful example of how artists can weave multiple narratives into a single frame. What other small details do you notice?

Details

A woman changes a baby's diaper, a daily chore.
A woman changes a baby's diaper, a daily chore.
The painting is called 'Sense of Smell' for a reason.
The painting is called 'Sense of Smell' for a reason.
But look closely, there is another figure in the room.
But look closely, there is another figure in the room.
The infant is the focus of the diaper change, a vulnerable subject.
The infant is the focus of the diaper change, a vulnerable subject.
Transcript

This 1635 painting shows a moment of domestic life. A woman changes a baby's diaper, a daily chore. The painting is called 'Sense of Smell' for a reason. But look closely, there is another figure in the room. A tiny figure tends to a fire, adding warmth to the home. Van Ostade often hid small stories within his daily scenes.