On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01799
- Author
- Teniers, David (Flemish)
- Title
- The Old Man and the Maid
- Chronology
- 1631-1640
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 55 cm x 90 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The story of an old man who tries
to seduce a servant girl was
customary in Flemish art and
literature as a representation of
senile love and as a criticism of
behavior inappropriate for old
age.
Here, Teniers, who depicted this
subject on various occasions, sets
the scene in a stable, where a
young woman is busy with her work
when she is approached by the old
man. The depiction of innumerable
objects and fruit on the left is an
example of Teniers' capacity to
paint still lifes.
The highly colorful objects and
cloths, and the forceful use of
light, which floods into the
foreground, differentiate this work
from his early indoor scenes.
Still, he continues to use
traditional elements, like the
figure looking in the window, who
here appears to be denouncing the
decrepit seducer's inappropriate
behavior.
This work is listed at Madrid's
Royal Palace in 1794, and may be
the one on this subject that
belonged to the Marquis of la
Ensenada, a part of whose
collection later went to Carlos
III.
