On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01791
- Author
- Teniers, David (Flemish)
- Title
- The Gleeful Soldier
- Chronology
- 1631-1640
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 47 cm x 36 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
A male figure smokes and drinks,
directing an expressive glace at
the viewer. Behind him, a companion
is inside a tavern filled with
vats, basins and barrels. The
protagonist has been identified as
a soldier on leave after a
campaign, but this is also a
representation of everyday life in
Flanders.
Illustrations of people enjoying
the pleasures of alcohol or tobacco
were quite customary in the work of
David Teniers “the Younger,” in
keeping with those made by other
Flemish artists of that time, such
as Craesbeeck (Ca. 1606-Ca. 1660).
Teniers based this work on the
esthetic of his teacher, Adriaen
Brouwer (1605-1606-1638), using an
identical sense of color, with a
uniform tonality throughout the
scene. The soldier's rude gesture
shows the influence of some figures
by Pieter Brueghel “the Elder” (Ca.
1525-1530-1569).
There are various replicas and
version of this composition. The
present one belonged to the Marquis
of la Ensenada. Queen Isabel
Farnesio acquired it from him
between 1759 and 1766.
Location on the map
