Adriaen van Ostade (1610-1685). - Couple of farmers as lovers.

Very nice etching by the famous Dutch printmaker Adriaen Van Ostade. Van Ostade was trained by Frans Hals and quickly specialized in genre scenes such as this one, which demonstrated a great interest in the common people.

This depiction of two farmers standing in their door opening is Van Ostade at his best, showing us the regular love of the working-class people of the Dutch Republic. The man is head-over-heels in love with the woman at whom he is unable to stop gazing. The girl looking at the beholder seems to be challenging us. The style of this etching is characteristic of Van Ostade's handling of the etching needle, which was only surpassed by Rembrandt at the time.

Condition: Very good and early printing with good black and white contrasts. On thick laid paper. Probably a later 18th-c. impression. Trimmed outside the platemark with thread margins.

Most likely 4th state. Comparable to Rijksmuseum copy: RP-P-1921-1160

Reference: Bartsch 11 / Dutch Hollstein 11.4.