Group of Figures at a Table in the Garden of a Tavern c. 1650 - 1655

This pen and ink drawing by Willem Drost depicts a group of figures gathered around a table outside of a tavern, likely in the Netherlands. Created around 1650, the drawing shows Drost’s talent for capturing movement and light, typical of the Dutch Golden Age. The work is a preparatory sketch for a larger painting, perhaps showing how Drost intended to depict the figures, their gestures and the scene’s atmosphere. This detail provides valuable insights into Drost’s creative process and his interest in everyday life.