Peasant Family Singing 1640 - 1677

Pieter Jacobsz. Duyfhuysen created this oil on canvas painting, entitled Peasant Family Singing, sometime in the 17th century. The scene shows a domestic interior with a family making music and merry, and offers insight into the everyday life and social dynamics of the Dutch peasantry. Consider how the painting, made in the Netherlands, reflects the cultural and social norms of the time. How does it portray the roles of men, women, and children within the family unit? What can we infer about the economic status and daily routines of the people depicted? Duyfhuysen’s work invites viewers to think about the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Dutch Golden Age. Investigating archival records, historical accounts, and other primary sources can help us to further understand the world in which it was made, and thus better appreciate the role of art in reflecting and shaping social values.