The Breakfast 1650

Adriaen van Ostade's etching "The Breakfast," created in 1650, depicts a scene of daily life in a humble Dutch home. The composition is characterized by its intimate and realistic portrayal of a peasant family gathered around a table, enjoying a simple meal. Ostade, a master of genre painting, expertly captures the warmth and camaraderie of the scene, while simultaneously highlighting the modest surroundings. This work, indicative of the Dutch Golden Age, offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people and their everyday rituals.