The artwork titled “Interior with Figures,” created by Pieter de Hooch circa 1664, is an oil on canvas piece classified under the Baroque art movement. This genre painting, measuring 69 by 58 centimeters, is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, USA.
In this evocative composition, de Hooch expertly captures a domestic interior scene with figures situated around a table. The setting is defined by a richly textured and intricately patterned gold wall behind a detailed mantle, suggesting an atmosphere of warmth and affluence. The figures, engaged in a quiet moment of everyday life, include three individuals at the forefront: a man seated by the window, absorbed in reading or writing, a woman standing nearby with a gesture toward the seated individuals, and two children. The scene is further deepened by the meticulous depiction of light streaming through the window, casting subtle shadows and highlighting the elaborate patterns on the carpeted table and the tiled floor. In the background, another figure can be seen passing through an archway, contributing a sense of depth and narrative to the calm, interior setting. De Hooch’s masterful use of perspective and light makes this piece a quintessential example of Dutch genre painting during the Baroque period.
