ARTWORKS

A Village Scene with a Cobbler

Jan Victors (1619–after 1676)

The National Gallery, London

A Village Scene with a Cobbler

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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A woman, her face intent, leans towards an old man – a cobbler. She pokes her finger vigorously into a worn shoe; its pair lies on the ground at her feet. He takes the event in his stride with a little smile, holding on to the shoe he’s been working on while reaching for hers, with one of his tools still tucked into his hand. This little passage of painting is exquisite: the cobbler’s skin is leathery and his nails dirty, but his hand is gentle, like his smile; the woman’s hands are also work worn, but clean – and tense.

Is the woman anxious he should understand the repair she needs? Is she complaining about previous work he’s done? Such questions are part of the purpose of these genre paintings – scenes that the owners would have found familiar, but with space to bring their imagination into play, enhancing their enjoyment of the scene.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A Village Scene with a Cobbler

Date

about 1650

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 63 x W 78.5 cm

Accession number

NG1312

Acquisition method

Bought, 1890

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Jan Victors

1619–after 1676

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