“The morning toilet of a young man,” painted by Pieter de Hooch circa 1656, is an oil on wood artwork that belongs to the Baroque art movement. The genre painting, measuring 40 by 53 centimeters, is housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts an intimate domestic scene inside a dimly lit room featuring two individuals. A young man, seated on the left, appears to still be in a state of rest, wearing casual attire that suggests he has just risen from sleep. Opposite him is a woman, engaged in tending to the bed, drawing the bedclothes with careful attention, suggesting a ritualistic morning preparation. The presence of simple household items, such as slippers and a wash basin, contributes to the authenticity and everyday nature of the scene. The dim lighting and the interplay of shadows on the figures and their surroundings highlight de Hooch’s mastery in rendering light and texture, effectively conveying the tranquil and private atmosphere of the early morning routine.
