Recent Acquisition
'Tavern Scene'
about 1635
Adriaen Brouwer
(1606? - 1638)
NG6591
The painters' painter who inspired Rembrandt and Rubens
The National Gallery has recently acquired 'Tavern Scene' by the Flemish artist Adriaen Brouwer, the first work by the artist to enter the Gallery's collection.
This large panel is Brouwer's most remarkable essay in a genre which he dominated during the early 17th century. The acquisition of this important work has been made possible by Private Treaty Sale and a recent generous legacy to the Gallery.
Adriaen Brouwer was probably born in Oudenaarde in 1605-6. He was enrolled as a master by the Antwerp guild in 1631 and died in the same city in 1638.
This 'Tavern Scene' demonstrates his pioneering skills at capturing the full range of human expression and rendering rowdy behaviour.
The painting shows a drunken client who has knocked over his tankard of ale in his hurry to embrace a waitress. She attempts to restrain him by tearing at his hair and pushing back his arm that has reached under her skirt. An old woman witnesses the scene from a window above. Some of the drinkers seem to be heckling the couple while others continue to smoke and gossip by the fireplace.
The realism of Brouwer's reportage was unprecedented in painting. The work is painted in Brouwer's characteristic fast fluid handling; only occasionally does he labour to describe details like the pipe smoker's hat or the letter on the barrow. The stacked wood, copper pots and spilling drink are masterfully captured.
The real focus is on the couple's expressions of rage, pain and humour which are all effortlessly caught. The almost monochromatic palette emphasises their reactions in a manner that was to inspire Rembrandt who, with Rubens, was an early collector of Brouwer's work; Rembrandt owned six of his paintings and Rubens seventeen.
The painting has been acquired from The Sir Edmund Bacon Baronetcy Settlement. It was previously on loan to the National Gallery and is a valuable addition to the Flemish 17th century display.
Oil on wood 48 x 76 cm
Back to Recent Acquisitions 2002
|
