Pieter de Hooch

From the series Dutch Masters

Domestic interiors are De Hooch’s actual subject matter, more specifically the light entering them. The staffage is usually incidental, although someone is always present in the houses or courtyards.

Self Portrait? Self Portrait?

{{ 1 | leadingZero }}

Self-Portrait

The only (possible) self-portrait of Pieter de Hooch hangs in the Rijksmuseum. We see a young, elegantly attired nineteen-year-old man.

Self Portrait?

Figures in a Courtyard behind a House Figures in a Courtyard behind a House

{{ 2 | leadingZero }}

Mystery

We have very little information about De Hooch himself. However, it is known that he never became rich from his sublime paintings, even though they served as inspiration for many fellow artists, including Johannes Vermeer.

Figures in a Courtyard behind a House Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), oil on canvas, c. 1663-1665

A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’ A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’

{{ 3 | leadingZero }}

Views through the house

The views from one room through a doorway to another in De Hooch’s paintings are one of the artist’s trademarks and a kind of precursor of virtual reality: the viewer’s gaze is guided through the house.

A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’ Pieter de Hooch (1629–c. 1683), oil on canvas, c. 1658–1660

A Maid with a Child in a Pantry A Maid with a Child in a Pantry

{{ 4 | leadingZero }}

Children

Babies and small children play a prominent role in De Hooch’s painted world. In Woman with a Child in a Pantry, the woman offers the young master of the house a jug of beer.

A Maid with a Child in a Pantry Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), oil on canvas, c. 1656-1660

Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House

{{ 5 | leadingZero }}

Backlighting

Few other artists were as adept at painting the play of light in an interior as De Hooch. He did something quite bold in Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House namely illuminating the scene from behind. Outside the sun is shining, while inside the light is subdued.

Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), oil on canvas, 1670

A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’ A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’

{{ 6 | leadingZero }}

Cosiness

De Hooch’s painting A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair (Known as a Mother’s Duty) is an enchanting study in domesticity. The warm sunlight pouring in is just as palpable as the mother’s love.

A Mother Delousing her Child’s Hair, Known as ‘A Mother’s Duty’ Pieter de Hooch (1629–c. 1683), oil on canvas, c. 1658–1660

Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House

{{ 7 | leadingZero }}

Smooth floors

De Hooch was brilliant in rendering the effects of light. Notice the closely observed dull reflection of sunlight on a marble floor.

Man Handing a Letter to a Woman in the Entrance Hall of a House, Pieter de Hooch, 1670 (detail)

Figures in a Courtyard behind a House Figures in a Courtyard behind a House

{{ 8 | leadingZero }}

Courtyards

Pieter de Hooch painted many courtyards featuring the residents of the accompanying houses in Delft, where he began his career. One of the most beautiful is this summer scene with an amorous couple.

Figures in a Courtyard behind a House Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), oil on canvas, c. 1663-1665

Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard

{{ 9 | leadingZero }}

Still lifes of people

With their serene atmosphere, many of De Hooch’s interiors resemble still lifes. In Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard, the human figures serve as accessories and are just as important as the furniture, such as the linen cupboard, the wicker laundry basket or the chair with a cushion.

Interior with Women beside a Linen Cupboard Pieter de Hooch (1629–c. 1683), oil on canvas, 1663

A Maid with a Child in a Pantry A Maid with a Child in a Pantry

{{ 10 | leadingZero }}

Deceptively real

De Hooch’s often sun-drenched interiors look so real that you can walk through them in your mind’s eye. Nevertheless, they were carefully conceived in the studio and not based on existing rooms.

A Maid with a Child in a Pantry Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), oil on canvas, c. 1656-1660

The Cattle Herd The Cattle Herd

Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem

Sun-drenched landscapes

Ferdinand Bol

The pupil who followed his own path

Galante conversatie, bekend als ‘De vaderlijke vermaning’, Gerard ter Borch (II), ca. 1654 Galante conversatie, bekend als ‘De vaderlijke vermaning’, Gerard ter Borch (II), ca. 1654

Gerard ter Borch

Self-assured painter of refined and hushed scenes

Pijprokende man, Gerard Dou, ca. 1650 Pijprokende man, Gerard Dou, ca. 1650

Gerard Dou

A talented perfectionist

Meisje met een brede hoed, Caesar Boëtius van Everdingen, ca. 1645 - ca. 1650 Meisje met een brede hoed, Caesar Boëtius van Everdingen, ca. 1645 - ca. 1650

Caesar van Everdingen

Exceptional colourist

A Maid with a Child in a Pantry A Maid with a Child in a Pantry

Pieter de Hooch

An artist who transformed light and space into poetry