Curator: Andrea Steckerová

Adriaen van Ostade – Dancing in the Barn, 1652

Ostade (1610 Haarlem – 1685 Haarlem) was a prolific painter (more than 800 paintings have survived), engraver and draughtsman, whose life is connected with Haarlem. In terms of themes, he focused on scenes depicting the rural environment and its inhabitants. He was a popular and much in-demand artist in his time, which is corroborated by the fact that well-known painters, such as his older brother Isaack van Ostade, Cornelis Bega and probably also Jan Steen, became his pupils. Eighteenth-century collectors had a keen interest in Ostade’s paintings. This picture was part of the famous collection of Gerrit Braamcamp in Amsterdam in 1750–1771; then it found its way to Paris and later to collections in Saltmarsche (England), London, Vienna and, in 1927, to the collection of Richard Morawetz in Prague.

The painting was done in the period when Ostade was strongly influenced by Rembrandt’s concept of light – we can see the main source of light coming from the large door of the barn. A dancing couple accompanied by bagpipes, an instrument popular in the countryside for its powerful sound, are most brightly illuminated. Ostade captured the peasants with genuine curiosity in their varied characters and activities – most often as they enjoyed entertainment or relaxed, i.e. while playing wild cards or dancing, though they often look clumsy doing so. That may be why his paintings were so popular in higher social circles, which found them amusing.

The restoration of this painting removed thick layers of varnish applied during earlier repairs. These layers generally darkened the entire painting. After restoration, it assumed its original lavish colours.

National Gallery in Prague - Sternberg Palace