Oude vrouw rookt een pijp 1704 - 1765

"Oude vrouw rookt een pijp" ("Old Woman Smoking a Pipe") is an etching by Jan Lauwryn Krafft, dated between 1704 and 1765. This small, intimate portrait captures the likeness of an elderly woman with a mischievous grin as she enjoys a pipe, exhaling a wisp of smoke. The detailed lines and cross-hatching of the etching lend a sense of realism to the subject, highlighting the wrinkles and folds of her face. Krafft's work often focused on the everyday lives of common people, creating a window into the social and cultural context of his time. This etching is a prime example of his ability to capture the essence of humanity with a combination of humor and empathy.