Two Peasants Fighting with Knives 1640

"Two Peasants Fighting with Knives" is a genre painting by Adriaen van Ostade, dating back to 1640. Ostade is known for his depictions of Dutch peasant life, often with a focus on the darker side of rural existence. This painting, currently held at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, captures a moment of brutal conflict between two men, their violent struggle highlighted by the presence of knives. The scene is set in a dimly lit interior, with a woman observing the fight from the shadows. This small-scale work, measuring only 22 cm in height and 27.5 cm in width, exemplifies Ostade's mastery of detail and his ability to convey a sense of raw emotion through his brushstrokes.