Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 3, 1910.djvu/296

282 ADRIAEN VAN OSTADE SECT. knife, a pipe, a glass, and other things. Behind it sits a peasant with a high cap, looking with pleasure to the right where a woman sits showing a doll to a little child on her lap. In the left foreground, behind a stool, stands a little boy with a plate of broth ; he looks down at a dog who puts his forepaws on the stool, and begs for some of his food. At an open door in the remote background is a figure. "This excellent picture is remarkable for its brilliant display of chiaroscuro, and its extraordinary power of colour. The window is indeed a magical deception in art. It might, however, be wished that the artist had not placed his point of sight so high, as it gives the appearance of an ascent to the apartment " (Sm.). Signed in full, and dated 1668 ; panel, 25 inches by 16 inches. Mentioned by Buchanan, Memoirs of Painting, ii. 260 ; and by Waagen, ii. 13. Exhibited at the British Institution, London, 1826 and 1827 ; and at the Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, London, 1890, No. 113. Sales. P. de Smeth van Alphen, Amsterdam, August i, 1810, No. 69 (5000 florins, Lafontaine). Lafontaine, London, June 12, 1811, No. 59 (1050, Lord Yar- mouth) the price was artificial as the picture had been sold before the sale. In the Royal collection, Buckingham Palace, London, No. 29 ; it was in the Royal collection in 1829 (Sm.). 461. A WOMAN WITH A CHILD AND TWO PEAS- ANTS. Sm. 198, and Suppl. 98. Three-quarter-length. On the left, with her back to a window, only a small part of which is seen, sits a woman with a child on her left arm. To the right of her sits a peasant, almost in full face, who stirs a bowl which he holds up in his left hand. Between them, farther back, stands another peasant who looks at the first man ; his right hand rests on the window-sill. On a bench under the window is an earthenware pot with a spoon in it. In the right background is a cellar door. Panel, 13^ inches by nj inches. Mentioned by Waagen, ii. 13. Exhibited at the British Institution, London 1826-7. Sale. Jan Gildemeester, Amsterdam, June II, 1800, No. 166 (1025 florins Sm. says 1325 florins Sterk). In the Royal collection, Buckingham Palace, London, No. 153 ; it was in the Royal collection, 1829 (Sm.). 462. THE INTERIOR OF A COTTAGE (or, A Peasant Family at Home). Sm. 64. Beside the hearth on the right a country- woman sits in profile ; to the right of her, and farther back, a peasant faces the spectator. Both are smoking. Almost in the centre foreground is a flax-wheel. On the left, at a window of which one casement is open, are three children. The biggest, a boy, kneels on the window-seat. His little sister tries to climb up. The smallest child sits in an infant's chair. In colour and in light and shade this is a picture of first-rate quality. An " exquisite little bijou " (Sm.). Signed in full, and dated 1661 ; panel, 13^ inches by 12 inches.