After Lucas van Leyden: Tavern Scene (1512 - 1583)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by an anonymous artist, after an original by the Dutch artist Lucas van Leyden (1494-1533). This tavern scene is a common one in 16th century art. It shows a young man sitting in a tavern with a young lady on his lap. The fool in the windows is pointing to the women and saying: 'wacht hoet varen sal' - Dutch for 'wait what happens next!'. The young lady sitting on the lap of the young man is robbing the man - she is grabbing his purse behind his back. The woman sitting next to her and the young boy in the doorway are also in cahoots with the first woman: the second woman is giving another purse to the young boy, perhaps also stolen from the man. Engravings like these reminded the viewer of 'the dangers' of a dissolute life. Engraving from 1512-1583.