The Smoker 1655 - 1680

"The Smoker," a 17th-century oil painting by Dutch artist Ary de Vois, depicts a man in a straw hat, seated, and holding a pipe. The painting is a portrait of an ordinary individual, likely a peasant or working-class man. The artist's use of light and shadow, particularly on the sitter's face, gives the portrait a sense of realism and intimacy. De Vois's work often focused on genre scenes and portraits, showcasing the lives of everyday people in his time. This painting is a testament to the artist's skill in capturing a moment in time, and conveying the character of his subject through subtle details.