The Quack 1610 - 1685

"The Quack" is an etching by Dutch artist Adriaen van Ostade, created between 1610 and 1685. The print depicts a lively scene of a street vendor selling his wares to a group of people. The composition is filled with figures, including a woman with a basket, a man with a hoop, and a group of children. The print is a fine example of van Ostade's mastery of etching, which is showcased in the intricate detail and the dramatic use of light and shadow. The etching is an excellent example of the Dutch Golden Age genre of "genre painting", which focused on scenes of everyday life, often showcasing the social and economic realities of the time. "The Quack" is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.