The Humpbacked Violinist 1610 - 1685

Adriaen van Ostade's etching "The Humpbacked Violinist" from the 17th century depicts a scene of everyday life in a Dutch village. The etching is characterized by its detailed depiction of the figures and their surroundings, including the half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and a small, bustling crowd of people. Van Ostade's work often captured the lives of common people, and this etching is no exception. The focus on the violinist, whose physical deformity is subtly emphasized in the composition, adds a poignant element to this charming work. "The Humpbacked Violinist" is now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.