Peasants smoking and drinking - Gillis van Tilborgh (c. 1625 - 1678)

Oil on panel
Signed lower right

At the forefront, a child barely reaching the height of the table, sits upon a modest chair, engaged in her simple meal. Her youthful visage captivates her innocence, raising a spoon to her lips while a bowl rests on her lap. Adjacent to her, two men find solace in camaraderie, their presence etched in detail. One adorned with a striking red vest, holds a glass. He is beaming with delight, enraptured by the lively narrative spun by his companion This companion in turn, tends to his pipe, perhaps refilling it. In the background we can see figures both seated and standing, they can be seen while they are conversing and smoking their pipes.

Gillis van Tilborgh was a Flemish painter who worked in various genres including portraits, low-life and elegant genre paintings and paintings of picture galleries. In his tavern scenes he shows himself to be a close follower of Adriaen Brouwer, just as David Ryckaert III and Joos van Craesbeeck were.