‘De schaatsenrijders’: boerengezelschap in interieur

Compared with the often ill-natured-looking drunkards of his teacher Adriaen Brouwer, the country folk in the paintings by Adriaen van Ostade are more mildmannered. They drink and smoke, but the atmosphere is generally peaceful. The pair of skates lying on the ground inspired the painting’s old, anecdotal title.