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To Each His Own Pastime (Elck Sijn Tijt-Verdrijff)

ca. 1632 (?)
Not on view
Van de Venne excelled in many genres, but he is perhaps best remembered for his depictions of proverbs. In this interior scene, an elegant couple, attired in costly finery and waited upon by two servants, is engaged in a game of shuttlecock, which is normally played outdoors. The skeletal figure of Death emerges from behind the curtain, cautioning the observer that it is only a matter of time before these frivolous pleasures-also symbolized by the empty glass, the playing cards strewn about the floor, and the lute on the table-come to an abrupt end.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: To Each His Own Pastime (Elck Sijn Tijt-Verdrijff)
  • Artist: Adriaen van de Venne (Dutch, Delft 1589–1662 The Hague)
  • Date: ca. 1632 (?)
  • Medium: Red chalk; verso: the design partially traced in red-brown chalk and wash
  • Dimensions: sheet: 13 7/8 x 17 11/16 in. (35.2 x 44.9 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, David T. Schiff Gift, 1994
  • Object Number: 1994.52
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Abdijplein of Middelburg, Adriaen van de Venne Dutch, Pen and brown ink, gray wash
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Adriaen van de Venne
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Soprano Recorder in B, Thomas Coenraet Boekhout Dutch, Ebony, ivory, Dutch
Soprano Recorder in B
Thomas Coenraet Boekhout
ca. 1700
Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia) Italian, Pen and brown ink, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (recto); pen and brown ink, brush with touches of brown wash, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (verso)
Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)
Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia)
1435–38
Al-Arm, Adriaen van de Venne Dutch, Red and black chalk
Al-Arm
Adriaen van de Venne
ca. 1625–35
Back Plate of a Gorget, Steel, silver, gold, Dutch
Back Plate of a Gorget
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