Peasant with a Crooked Back c. 1675

Adriaen van Ostade's etching, "Peasant with a Crooked Back", created around 1675, depicts a weathered peasant with a hunched back, leaning heavily on a staff. The figure, rendered in a realistic and somewhat somber style, highlights the hardships endured by working-class individuals of the time. Van Ostade's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and brings the peasant's weary figure to life. This etching is a powerful testament to the artist's skill in capturing the essence of everyday life and the struggles of ordinary people.