Old Woman Eating

A rich palette of ochres, terracotta and velvety browns make up the dense background of this Dutch interior. Light floods in from a source beyond the picture, just catching the edge of the hearth and illuminating an old woman, the shaft of her metal spoon glinting in the light and her white cap a stark highlight against the deep shadows behind her. Loose brushstrokes describe the woman’s green apron and follow the ridges of the earthenware pot in her lap. Her face is carefully painted, with delicate lines tracing the wrinkles on her forehead and soft ripples of thin paint outlining her ruffled collar. The uncluttered floor, glistening glazed pots, cleaned animal bones, and neatly made bed just visible behind the chair, suggest an ordered home. With her chores done, the woman can rest her feet and enjoy a quiet meal beside the fire. 

Based in Leiden, in the Netherlands, the Dutch painter Quiringh van Brekelenkam (1622–68) produced works depicting humble domestic interiors that appealed to all members of Dutch society, appearing in the collections of both merchants and innkeepers. Rather than taking a moral stance, as was common in other Dutch paintings of this type, Van Brekelenkam simply recorded the everyday, often favouring scenes that showcased a well-managed house or a respected trade.