Group of four farmers c. 1644 - 1649

Isaac van Ostade created this drawing of four farmers with pen and brown ink in the 17th century. Van Ostade situates his work within a long art historical tradition of representing peasant life, a subject that often carried moral and political undertones. Here, four men are grouped together in what appears to be a moment of leisure. One man sits, relaxed, with a tankard in his hand. Another smokes a pipe, while the others converse. Van Ostade’s choice of subject matter reflects a broader interest in depicting everyday life. It offers a glimpse into the lives of those typically excluded from the historical record. But it is important to ask what is the artist trying to convey through this image? Are we, the viewers, meant to identify with these figures? Or are we meant to consider the drawing from a distance, perhaps even find humor in it? Ultimately, the drawing invites us to reflect on the varied experiences and social stratifications of 17th-century Dutch society.