The Quacksalver (1648)

"The Quacksalver" (1648) is a work by Adriaen van Ostade. Context for 1648: In Japan the Edo period began in 1603, and in China the Qing dynasty took power in 1644, both bringing new patrons and styles. In the Dutch Republic, a prosperous middle-class market supported landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes of daily life painted at a modest scale for the home. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Figurative, a short history: Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. Over the centuries, painters have used the figure to express social standing, narrative, and emotion.

Buying "The Quacksalver" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

Dutch, 1610–1684

If you like the visual language of Adriaen van Ostade, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.