A Man smoking a Pipe

Adriaen Jansz Van Ostade was born in Haarlem where he spent the rest of his life. According to his biographer, Arnold Houbraken, Ostade was a pupil of Frans Hals at the same time as Adriaen Brouwer. He became famous for his genre-paintings and tavern-interiors with smokers, drinkers and dancing peasants. A smoker (and drinker) could represent the "taste" and the quickly vanishing smoke was also likened to the evanescence of life and thus a thankful vanitas motive.

Signed above right : A. Ostade
Collection Stamps and wax seal on the back
18.5 x 16 cm (7 ¹/₄ x 6 ¹/₄ inches)
Oil on panel