Jan Steen

Cheerful paintings of disorderly families gave rise to the saying ‘a Jan Steen household.’

Jan Steen is without a doubt the most humorous Dutch artist.

Steen’s characterization of the personages in his paintings is spot on. Moreover, no one could depict human behaviour more aptly than Steen.

Jan Steen ran a brewery for many years. In addition, he managed to produce an impressive oeuvre counting hundreds of paintings.

While Steen’s paintings are entertaining they often also contain a wise lesson. Steen portrays human folly and its consequences without coming across as pedantic.

Steen often included himself in his compositions, mostly in questionable roles, for example as a drunken rake. Thanks to his self-portrait in the Rijksmuseum, he is easily recognizable by his squinting eyes and large fleshy nose.

Many of Steen's paintings are about intoxication and lust. These scenes are often full of obscene references.

Steen was versed in all genres and painted biblical and mythological subjects, historical events, allegories, genre scenes, portraits and landscapes. Only still lifes by him are not known; however, many of his paintings feature still life-like details, and so clearly he could do that as well.

Of all the museums in the world, the Rijksmuseum has the most paintings by Steen, 22 in all.

The Feast of St Nicholas in the Rijksmuseum is one of Jan Steen's most famous paintings.