Oude vrouw met fles en glas (variant B)

About this artwork

height 124 mm x width 93 mm

Art Historical Context

**Oude vrouw met fles en (variant B)** Jan van der Brug, 1659–1740* *Engraving on paper, 124 × 93 mm* Jan van der Bruggen a Dutch engraver active the waning years of the Golden Age, captures everyday life in this intimate etching. Born in 1659 and working into the early 18th century, van der Bruggen was for his precise reproductive prints, often drawing from the genre scenes of masters like Adriaen van Ostade. This "variant B" depicts an "old woman with bottle and glass," a motif evoking the lively tavern culture of 17th-century Netherlands, where such figures symbolized both warmth and subtle moral commentary on indulgence. Rendered on modest paper at just 124 by 93 mm, the work showcases van der Bruggen's mastery of fine lines and tonal contrasts typical of copperplate engraving. The small scale invites close viewing, revealing intricate details in the woman's weathered face, flowing drapery, and gleaming glass—techniques that brought depth and narrative to affordable prints for collectors. In the context of Dutch art, this piece reflects a shift from grand history paintings to accessible genre works, preserving social vignettes for posterity. A charming window into 18th-century domesticity, it reminds us how art democratized stories of human frailty and joy. (198 words)