Old Man Lighting a Pipe

From the museum

This man’s suntanned skin, worn clothing, and rustic surroundings are rendered in shades of brown that mirror the contents of his pipe. The Spanish introduced tobacco into Northern Europe in the 16th century, and smoking quickly became a beloved pastime that was widely considered healthful and nourishing. By the early 17th century, single-figure images of smokers emerged as a subgenre of Dutch and Flemish painting. The theme posed an enticing challenge for artists, with its burning leaves, billowing plumes of smoke, and active facial expressions—here, the figure purses his lips and wrinkles his brow as he concentrates on lighting the pipe. German painter Johann Carl Loth blended the Northern emphasis on capturing textures with the dramatic illumination reminiscent of so-called Caravaggesque painters like Hendrick Terbrugghen.

Purchased with funds provided by The Old Masters Society

Materials & technique

Technique: oil painting, painting, painting (image making), painting techniques.

Provenance

Possibly Antony Hoevenaar, Amsterdam; sold 15 April, 1693, no. 6, "een Italianse Toebakdrinker, konstig van [Loth] [see Gerhard Ewald, Johann Carl Loth: 1632-1698 (Amsterdam, 1965), p. 124, no. 558]." Possibly Jan Smees, Amsterdam; sold 6 April 1729, no. 4, "een Tabaks Rooker, Kragtig en kunstig geschildert door Carlotti [see Ewald 1965, p. 124, no. 559]." Christie's, London, 24 May 1985, no. 107 (ill.); Capitoline Fine Arts Ltd., Washington, D. C., 1985 to 1987; sold to The Art Institute, 1987.

Where to see Old Man Lighting a Pipe

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. View on the museum’s official page.

See more works at Art Institute of Chicago or browse the full Johann Carl Loth collection.