Smokers at the Inn 1610 - 1685

Adriaen van Ostade created "Smokers at the Inn," an etching, during the Dutch Golden Age, a time of immense economic growth and social change in the Netherlands. Van Ostade often depicted peasant life, but rather than an objective depiction, it romanticizes the lives of those who often suffered from poverty and hardship. Here, we see a dimly lit tavern filled with figures engaged in smoking, drinking, and socializing. The scene provides a glimpse into the lives of the working class, but it is important to recognize that these depictions often served the interests of a wealthier audience, who were detached from the realities of everyday life for the lower classes. By focusing on themes of leisure, van Ostade's work, whether consciously or not, served to normalize the existing social hierarchy. This allowed the upper classes to see a romanticized version of the lower classes, even as they benefited from their labor. This artwork invites us to consider how class distinctions shaped the creation and reception of art during the Dutch Golden Age.