Three Peasants Seated Together

Cornelis Bega 1631-2 - 1664

Summary

In this tavern scene, Bega focuses on the hostess, as she sits talking to two peasants. Her spotlit figure contrasts with those of the men, whose faces are mostly concealed by hats and shadows. The pipe, the position of the brazier and the woman's rolled-up apron are scarcely disguised sexual allusions. In response to the changing tastes of contemporary collectors, and inspired by the artist Gerrit Dou, Bega painted his simple subjects with refined, highly finished brushstrokes. Although he drew with his right hand, he painted with his left, and on close inspection many left-handed brushstrokes are visible. Bega was a pupil of Adriaen van Ostade. Although he followed Ostade's subject matter, Bega's brushwork became more precise and his figures more individualistic in the last years of his short life. Tragically, he died of the plague at the age of only 32 or 33.

Display Label

Three peasants seated together 1660-62 Cornelis Bega 1631/32-64 Oil on panel Bega focuses on the hostess of the tavern, as she sits talking to two peasants. Her spotlit figure contrasts with the men whose faces are mostly concealed by hats and shadows. In response to contemporary collectors’ changing tastes, and inspired by the artist Gerrit Dou, Bega painted his lowly subjects with refined, highly finished brushstrokes. Although he drew with his right hand, he painted with his left and, if you look closely, there are many left-handed brushstrokes visible here. Sadly, Bega’s career was cut short when he died of the plague aged only 32 or 33. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.444