Dutch school (XIX) - The Butcher

An interesting painting with a subject that was common in the daily life for ages: The slaugthering of the fattened pig in autumn. The pig is fixed with a rope to a ladder, is slaughtered and cut open. The blood is dripping in an earthenwork bowl. The lad who has done the job relaxes and smokes from a Gouda pipe. His assistant has apparently fainted and lies on the floor. On the wall hangs a slaughtered duck and the butchers knife. This charming scene of the daily life must have been painted in the 18th century by a Dutch artist. The work is relined, has no frame and would benefit from further restauration.