17th century Dutch school

Like Adrian Brouwer he painted peasant amusements in a satirical way, in tavern scenes where drunkenness distorted the features of the subjects. Adrian van Ostade (1610-1685) excelled in portraying scenes of happy company of the popular classes. In the same genre, Jan Steen (1625-1679), who ran a tavern in Leiden, composed scenes of untidy houses, where drunkenness, laziness, smoking and darkness systematically took over. Adriaen Brouwer (1605-1638) and his followers were among those who mostly chose a theatrical and caricatured style which in my opinion comes very close to this amusing scene.

Brawl in the inn

Technique: Oil on canvas
Painting dimensions: 31x40 cm
Dimensions with frame 40x50 cm

Provenance on the back there is a label from the Moos gallery, the most important gallery in the history of Geneva, the most important works in the first half of the 20th century passed through this Antiquarian gallery.

Galerie Georges Moos is an art gallery and auction house founded in 1941 in Geneva by Georges Moos. It ended its commercial activities in 1986.

The work underwent a conservative restoration before I came into possession of it, the work was relined maintaining the old stretcher, apart from the work it is intact and in excellent condition.

There is also a label from the beginning of the century with the number 0043, probably referring to an inventory.


The painting comes from a Swiss collection in Geneva, it can be picked up here free of charge. Any packing, shipping and import costs are the responsibility of the buyer.