318 ADRIAEN VAN OSTADE SECT. In the La Caze collection at the Louvre, until 1872, when it was transferred to Rheims. In the Rheims Museum, 1881 catalogue, Dutch School, No. 7. 580. PEASANTS DRINKING IN A BARN. Six figures in front ; three others to the right. This is attributed in the catalogue to A. Brouwer, but is a genuine early work by A. van Ostade, with the typically vivid lighting in a yellow tone. Panel, 1 6 inches by 20 inches. In the Rennes Museum, 1884 catalogue, No. 76. 581. A GROUP OF SEVEN FIGURES IN AN INTERIOR. An early work ; the lighting is characteristic of this period. There are touches of light red, blue, and green in the costumes. Signed in full, and dated 1635. In the Stroganoff collection, Rome. 582. BOISTEROUS PEASANTS AT AN INN (or, The Salutation). Sm. Suppl. 46. On the right, in a large room, a stout old woman, wearing a blue gown and yellow apron, sits in profile to the left, leaning back comfortably in her chair. She holds in her right hand a tall glass, and with a smile on her face speaks to a peasant who has just entered. He takes off his hat to her with his right hand, and holds a clay pipe in his left. Behind the old woman to the right, a peasant taps a cask ; behind him is a fiddler. Farther back at the table to the right are three peasants ; one is drunk. At the table to the left are a man and a woman with a child on her lap. In the background three peasants converse at a doorway leading to the garden. On the floor in front are playing-cards, vine-leaves, a broom, dishes, and other things. This picture is in the style of The Hague picture of 1662 (636), and marks the transition from works with light and shade mainly to those in which the local colour is more pro- nounced. [Pendant to 473, according to the Stockholm catalogue.] Signed in full on the left at foot, and dated 1660 ; panel, 18 inches by 1 6 inches. In the Duke of Mecklenburg's palace, Ludwigslust, 1842 (Sm., who valued it at 472 : I os.). In the Schwerin Museum, 1882 catalogue, No. 761. 583. A COMPANY OF PEASANTS. In the centre are a loving couple. A man seated to the right and another man standing on the left are amused at the lovers. Behind them are two other persons. The principal group is in full light. An early work. In the collection of W. A. Clark ; exhibited on loan at the Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C., 1908. 584. A VILLAGE INN WITH FOUR DRUNKEN PERSONS. In the right centre a peasant sits leaning back at a table, and holds a jug on his right thigh. To the left of him, behind the table, an old woman with a cap sits facing the spectator ; she is eating broth with a spoon out of a plate. Behind her stands another peasant, wearing a tall felt hat ; his right hand is thrust into the breast of his coat. In the
