Fine Art

‘The Skaters’: Peasants in an Interior — History & Facts

Compared with the often ill-natured-looking drunkards of his teacher Adriaen Brouwer, the country folk in the paintings by Adriaen van Ostade are more mildmannered. They drink and smoke, but the atmosphere is generally peaceful. The pair of skates lying on the ground inspired the painting’s old, anecdotal title.

Sources: Wikidata Q17328383

More Artworks by Adriaen van Ostade

Etching by Adriaen van Ostade depicting revelers in a tavern with candlelight.

Dans in de herberg

Adriaen van Ostade

Etching by Adriaen van Ostade depicting figures dancing in a rustic inn

Dance at the Inn

Adriaen van Ostade

Genre scene of travelers resting at a country inn, oil painting by Adriaen van Ostade.

Travellers Halted At A Country Inn

Adriaen van Ostade

Interior of a barn with farmers and sunlight by Adriaen van Ostade, oil painting

Interior of a Barn

Adriaen van Ostade

Etching by Adriaen van Ostade depicting a peasant family around a table in warm light.

Boerengezin in interieur

Adriaen van Ostade

Genre scene of merrymakers in an inn, oil on panel by Adriaen van Ostade

Merrymakers in an Inn

Adriaen van Ostade

Peasants brawling in a tavern, oil on panel by Adriaen van Ostade

Peasants Brawling in a Tavern

Adriaen van Ostade

Genre scene of a man with a tankard, oil on panel by Adriaen van Ostade

Man with a Tankard at a Window

Adriaen van Ostade

Etching by Adriaen van Ostade depicting a lively tavern scene with people celebrating.

Dans in de herberg

Adriaen van Ostade

Genre scene of a peasant in golden light, oil on panel by Adriaen van Ostade

The Merry Peasant

Adriaen van Ostade

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More Genre Scene Art

A group of Haarlem officers in colorful sashes gathers around a banquet table set with glassware, plates, and a large pie, with a patterned banner behind them.

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard

Frans Hals

A man in a feathered hat smiles and raises a glass while holding a woman on his lap, both dressed in elaborate 17th-century clothing with a table of objects nearby.

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son

Rembrandt van Rijn

A lively outdoor scene shows couples dancing and groups seated at tables under trees, with figures in flowing dresses and straw hats.

Bal du moulin de la Galette

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

A dancer in a vivid green dress stands with hands on hips facing forward, surrounded by figures in brown, black, and pink clothing with a balcony and loosely sketched background.

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans

A Burial at Ornans

Gustave Courbet

Two Tahitian women sit against a yellow and blue background; one wears a pale green wrap and red skirt, the other a pink dress with white trim and necklace.

When Will You Marry?

Paul Gauguin

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