Loterij van Grootebroek - Cornelis Dusart

A detailed mezzotint by Cornelis Dusart depicting the lively atmosphere of the 1694 lottery in Grootebroek.

Cornelis Dusart, a pupil of Adriaen van Ostade, produced this mezzotint in 1694. The work depicts a scene from the lottery held in the Dutch town of Grootebroek. Dusart captures the boisterous atmosphere of the event, focusing on the expressive, often exaggerated faces of the participants. A central figure holds a kettle aloft, while another individual plays a trumpet, creating a sense of chaotic celebration. The composition utilises the tonal range of the mezzotint medium to create soft transitions between light and shadow, which adds depth to the figures and the architectural setting.

Dusart was known for his interest in the lives of the lower classes, often portraying them in taverns or during public festivities. This print is characteristic of his output, which frequently combined humour with a keen observation of human behaviour. The figures are rendered with a focus on their physical gestures and facial expressions, which convey the excitement of the lottery. The background features a brick wall and a doorway, providing a grounded setting for the lively interaction. The use of mezzotint allows for a velvety texture, which enhances the play of light across the clothing and the metal surfaces of the objects held by the figures. This piece offers a glimpse into the social customs of late seventeenth-century Holland, documenting a specific public event through the lens of a skilled printmaker.