Brawling Cardplayers

In the beginnings of his career, Ostade painted rough villagers in various brawls, gambling or drinking parties. Their uncivilized behaviour should have seen a warning example - and entertain at the same time. After the example of Flemish painter Adriaen Brouwer, he focused on the expressive faces of the keen card players. The painting was created at the beginning of the thirties when Ostade liked to use the combination of subtle pastel hues of pink, blue and grey.