ticketsMember | Make a donation

Reading the News at the Weavers' Cottage

1673
Not on view
This scene of a man reading the news surrounded by family and friends within the sunlit confines of a weavers' cottage epitomizes the rustic scenes of peasant life for which Ostade is so well known. Linen weaving, a profession practiced only by men, became the most important and lucrative occupation in Haarlem in the seventeenth century. Ostade celebrated the economic profit brought about by this industry in this outstanding watercolor, an autonomous work of art, and one which remained famous through the eighteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Reading the News at the Weavers' Cottage
  • Artist: Adriaen van Ostade (Dutch, Haarlem 1610–1685 Haarlem)
  • Date: 1673
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, watercolor, white heightening, over traces of graphite; framing lines by the artist (?) in pen and brown ink and gold
  • Dimensions: 9 5/8 x 7 15/16 in. (24.4 x 20.2 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Lore Heinemann, in memory of her husband, Dr. Rudolf J. Heinemann, 1996
  • Object Number: 1997.117.10
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
The Dance at the Inn, Adriaen van Ostade Dutch, Etching; seventh state
The Dance at the Inn
Adriaen van Ostade
1652
Hurdy Gurdy Man, Adriaen van Ostade Dutch, Etching
Hurdy Gurdy Man
Adriaen van Ostade
1647
Interior of a Barn with Mother and Two Children, Right in Front a Pig (copy), Adriaen van Ostade Dutch, Engraving
Interior of a Barn with Mother and Two Children, Right in Front a Pig (copy)
Adriaen van Ostade
Jacob Louys
17th century
The Cobbler (copy), Adriaen van Ostade Dutch, Etching
The Cobbler (copy)
Adriaen van Ostade
n.d.
The Quacksalver (copy), Adriaen van Ostade Dutch, Etching
The Quacksalver (copy)
Adriaen van Ostade
n.d.

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.