Our painting depicts a delightful genre scene: inside of a small country manor a hunter, having just returned from a hunt, is seated on a chair and being assisted by a servant to remove his boots. 

At the entrance, a young maid with a satisfied expression holds up the game just received from the master of the house, triumphantly displaying it to the lady of the house, who is descending the stairs.

The interior, described across two levels connected by a broad staircase and illuminated by a large window, is rich in detail: a parrot cage sits on a small table in front of the window, next to a plant and an umbrella stand, while a coat rack with various hats and a lamp guard the entrance. The characters are dressed in rustic yet elegant clothing. 

Each detail is rendered with care and a focus on domestic intimacy, a hallmark of the Flemish painter, who specialized in lively interiors featuring humorous figures.

David Col (Antwerp 1822 – 1900) was a Flemish painter known for his specialization in genre scenes. He studied under the painter De Keyser at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Col became renowned for his depictions of interiors with figures, often drawing inspiration from the everyday life and rural culture of his homeland, infused with a subtle touch of humor.

His works were exhibited in Antwerp, Brussels, Vienna, and Philadelphia, USA. Today, his paintings can be found in the museums of Ixelles and Antwerp, as well as in various private collections.