An Old Man in a Tavern

An old man in a tavern has fallen asleep in his chair. A tankard of beer stands beside him in the foreground. Too much drink and the heat of the pot-bellied stove have taken their toll. The leading actor takes up much of the picture surface. In the background a shifty-looking type is spying on a courting couple through a…

An old man in a tavern has fallen asleep in his chair. A tankard of beer stands beside him in the foreground. Too much drink and the heat of the pot-bellied stove have taken their toll. The leading actor takes up much of the picture surface. In the background a shifty-looking type is spying on a courting couple through a window. The monumental nature of this composition is comparable to two tavern scenes by Brouwer in Munich (Alte Pinakothek, inv. nos. 1281 and 2014). The painting enabled upright citizens to gape at this reprehensible behaviour. In addition, the artist focused on the psychology of the various figures. The peeping Tom is a comic detail that Brouwer often included in his later works, such as the Tavern scene in London (National Gallery, inv. no. NG 6591). The alternation of transparent and opaque pant layers and the detailing of the face, ruff and hands with the aid of delicate brushstrokes are typical of Brouwer’s manner. The refined painting technique contributes to the enjoyment of his picture, which dates from the period 1625-1635.