A Woman with a Baby in Her Lap, and a Small Child 1658

Pieter de Hooch painted this domestic scene with oil on canvas; its smooth surface and detailed rendering are characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. Looking closely, the painting reveals much about the ways of life, and the materials of the time. The checkered floor, created with ceramic tiles, has been carefully laid by a skilled craftsman and is imbued with a robust tactility and geometric pattern that adds depth to the composition. The heavy, woolen clothes worn by the woman and child are symbols of status in a society where textiles are precious and expensive commodities. We can observe the way in which the artist simulates the weight and texture of the fabric. De Hooch's mastery lies in his ability to convey not only the appearance of things, but their very essence. The work invites us to consider the material culture of the 17th century, and the labor that went into creating even the simplest of domestic scenes. By focusing on these elements, we can appreciate how his painting transcends the boundaries between fine art and the everyday crafts of life.