Three Peasants at an Inn, One Looking Down a Jug

Adriaen van Ostade

National Gallery of Art

The image shows three men from the thighs up. Two men are sitting, while the third is standing and leaning over a small table. The seated man on the left is holding a jug. The standing man is leaning in towards the others, while the seated man on the right rests a hand on the table. They are wearing simple, modest clothing such as coats or heavy shirts, with hats on their heads. One man wears a wide-brimmed hat, while the other two wear rounded hats. The background displays a textured wall with an arched structure resembling a doorway or alcove, suggesting an interior setting, possibly rustic or modest. The etching is detailed with cross-hatching and shading characteristic of this artistic style.