Philips Wouwerman (1619–1668)

Philips Wouwerman (1619–1668)

A stop at an Inn

Oil on panel | 45 x 36,5 cm | Signed with monogram P W


"A Stop at an Inn" is a quintessential example of Philips Wouwerman's mastery in capturing lively scenes of everyday life during the Dutch Golden Age. The painting presents a dynamic composition set against a dramatic sky, with travelers and horses gathered near a rustic inn. The foreground features figures on horseback and a white dog resting, all rendered with Wouwerman's characteristic attention to anecdotal detail and atmospheric perspective. The use of light and shadow, along with the subtle gradation of color in the landscape, draws the viewer's eye from the immediate activity to the distant horizon, creating a sense of depth and narrative continuity.

Wouwerman was particularly skilled at depicting horses in various poses and movements, and this painting is no exception. The horses are central to the composition, animated and expressive, highlighting the artist's technical prowess and his fascination with equestrian subjects. The scene is both a genre painting and a landscape, blending the two seamlessly to evoke the daily rhythms and social interactions of 17th-century rural life.

Philips Wouwerman (1619–1668) was a Dutch painter from Haarlem, celebrated for his prolific output and versatility during the Dutch Golden Age. He specialized in landscapes, hunting scenes, battle scenes, and above all, equestrian subjects. Wouwerman was born into a family of artists; his father, Paulus Joosten Wouwerman, was his first teacher, and his brother Pieter also became a painter.

Wouwerman joined the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke in 1640 and spent most of his career in his hometown. His early work was influenced by the "bamboccianti" style of Pieter van Laer, but Wouwerman quickly developed his own distinctive approach. His paintings are known for their subdued color palette, cool atmospheric effects, and the lively, anecdotal details that populate his scenes. Horses, often depicted in motion and with remarkable anatomical accuracy, became his trademark.

During his lifetime, Wouwerman's works were highly sought after, collected by European nobility and monarchs. His reputation remained strong into the 18th century, with his paintings fetching high prices and being featured in major collections across Europe. His works held in major museums such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.