“Going for the Walk” by Pieter de Hooch is an oil on canvas painting executed in the Baroque style. This genre painting measures 85 x 72 cm and is currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France.
The artwork portrays an interior scene featuring an elegantly dressed couple accompanied by a small dog, seemingly preparing to go for a walk. They are situated in an opulent, columned hall complete with intricately detailed architecture. The woman, wearing a black shawl and a vibrant orange skirt with black patterns, rests her hand on the man’s forearm. The man, equally well-dressed in a red cloak and large hat, stands with a confident posture. Light streams into the hall, illuminating the couple and casting long shadows, enhancing the depth and realism characteristic of the Baroque movement. Visible on the left side of the composition are additional figures, including a woman holding a child, which adds a narrative element to the scene. The background reveals a glimpse through an archway, further inviting the viewer into the receding space and providing a window-like perspective that contributes to the sense of depth within the painting.
