Interior of a Dutch House

De Hooch spent his mature years in Delft before moving to Amsterdam, and like Delft painters Nicolaes Maes and Emanuel de Witte, he was particularly interested in the geometry of spaces and the warmth of the light that illuminates them. De Hooch expanded his interior spaces to include the world beyond them so that the home is connected, through the open doorway, to its environs. Inventories describe curtains-such as those depicted here-in the side rooms looking out on the street; these presumably protected against the scrutiny of passersby and too much outside light. The figures in De Hooch's paintings are usually members of the middle classes, shown at their tasks in order to reflect a virtuous mode of living. Particularly innovative were his depictions of servants performing domestic chores or housewives supervising maids in interiors. The ambiguous psychology among the figures heightens the naturalism of these scenes.

Pieter de Hooch was fascinated by the geometry of domestic interiors.  Here, he creates a harmonious space articulated by geometric floors, rectangular and oval window panes, and neatly defined doorways. He further evokes a convincing sense of depth through the use of light, color, and perspective. Notice the dark interior room that opens into a brightly lit foyer, which in turn leads the eye to a dark canal and a sun-filled skyline. His use of color ties the various parts of the composition together: the rose-tint of the standing woman’s shoe is echoed in the red curtain in the foyer and the pink horizon.