504 ISACK VAN OSTADE SECT. amid a group of peasants. She holds a sheet of music and sings. Opposite her to the right sits a peasant, holding an earthenware jug on his knee. At either side of the woman is a peasant. One man, holding a glass of beer in his left hand, joins her in the song. The other man, holding an earthenware jug in his right hand and a clay pipe in his left, is laughing. Behind the woman stands a fourth peasant, pipe in hand. In the left background a man is asleep, with his head and hands resting on a tub. On the right, to one side, another peasant sits smoking. An early work in the style which recalls that of Adriaen. Signed on the left at foot with the monogram ; panel, 15 inches by 19 inches. Acquired by the Empress Catherine II. In the Hermitage Palace, St. Petersburg, 1901 catalogue, No. 953. 21 1 a. A Merry Ballad-Singer. Sale. Abraham du Pre and Petronella Oortmans, Amsterdam, May 19, 1729 (Hoet, i. 342), No. 14 (n florins 5). 2iib. An Organ-Grinder. He stands outside a cottage. Near him are some children. Panel, 13 inches by 9 inches. Sale. Tibout Regters, Amsterdam, April 18, 1768, No. 10. 2iiba. An Organ-Grinder. A good picture. Sale. G. van de Polder, widow of G. Cocq and others, The Hague, October 2, 1769, No. 1 10. 2iibb. Peasants at Music. In a rustic barn a peasant and a woman sing to the music of a barrel-organ. Three children at play. Panel, 9 inches by 12 inches. Sale. Amsterdam, November 6, 1776, No. 185 (22 florins, Wubbels). 2iibc. An Organ -Grinder and a Boy Fiddler. Outside a cottage. Some children listen. In the right distance is a village. [Possibly identical with 21 if. Pendant to 242/7.] Panel, 20 inches by 27^ inches. Sale. Amsterdam, October 30, 1780, No. 41 (20 florins 10, with pendant, Fouquet). 21 if. Peasants at Music. In a room sit a peasant and a woman singing. Another man plays the fiddle. Another man stands at the back, looking on. Panel, 1 1 inches by 14 inches. Sale. Amsterdam, December 5, 1785, No. 68 (41 florins). 21 id. A Peasant with a Barrel-Organ. Outside an inn. Many listeners. Panel, 10 inches by 12 inches. Sale. De Brouwer the younger, Brussels, July 31, 1788, No. 25. 211*. A Bagpiper. Outside a cottage. A man and a woman lean on the half-door. Many listeners.
