Cornelius Bega (1631 - 1664)

Bega was born into an artistic and wealthy family in Haarlem, Holland. He studied under Adriaen van Ostade and expanded on his master's style to create his own dark, psychological paintings. He enjoyed painting taverns, domestic interiors, and villages. He especially enjoyed painting characters.

Bega traveled throughout Germany, Switzerland and France from 1653 to 1654. From 1660 to his death in 1664, Bega's paintings and etchings became more colorful and focused on details and textures. He returned to Haarlem and joined the Guild of Saint Luke. He probably died of the plague in 1664. This etching is typical of his interest in tavern characters.