A Nurse and a Child in an Elegant Foyer
1663 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts a well-dressed young child and a nurse in a marble-floored interior while a beggar woman and child approach from the street. It exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age interest in social contrast and moralistic genre scenes.
Did you know?
Jacob Ochtervelt was a master of capturing the complex social dynamics within Dutch households, often juxtaposing the lives of the wealthy with those of the less fortunate. This specific composition serves as a moral commentary, showing a privileged child being approached by a destitute woman at the threshold of an elegant home. It reflects the era's preoccupation with charity and the societal obligations of the merchant class.
On your wall. Unlock the 4K download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
A Nurse and a Child in an Elegant Foyer
Jacob Ochtervelt, 1663
