Adriaen Brouwer

Adriaen Brouwer was a Flemish painter active in the early 17th century, known for his small, genre scenes of peasant life. He was born in Oudenaarde, Flanders, around 1605 and died in Antwerp in 1638. Brouwer's work is characterized by its lively and often humorous depictions of peasants drinking, smoking, and engaging in brawls or other forms of physical comedy. His paintings are notable for their loose brushwork and keen observation of human behavior.

Brouwer was influenced by the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and is considered a follower of Dirck Hals. He spent time in Amsterdam and Haarlem before settling in Antwerp, where he became a master in the Guild of St. Luke in 1631. Despite his relatively short life, Brouwer's work was highly influential, and he was admired by artists such as Rembrandt and Rubens. Some of his notable works include The Bitter Potion, The Smokers, and Peasants Brawling over Cards.

Brouwer's paintings were often small in scale, which made them accessible to a broader audience. His ability to capture the essence of peasant life without idealization or judgment was a significant departure from the more stylized and romanticized depictions of the lower classes by other artists of the time. Brouwer's work provides valuable insight into the social conditions and daily life of 17th-century Flanders. His paintings are held in numerous collections, including the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.