This week’s work of art is by the Dutch artist Pieter de Hooch who was active during the time period known as the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. The painting, completed between 1658-1660, is entitled Un homme fumant et une femme buvant dans une cour a Delft (which is translated as Man Smoking and Woman Drinking in a Courtyard in Delft). The original painting is in the Mauritshuis in the Hague.

The woman looks positively modern, almost like she’s savoring the aroma of the beer before taking her first sip.

You can see more of Pieter de Hooch’s work at the Artchive, the Artcyclopedia, Olga’s Gallery and the Web Gallery of Art.