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Girl in Blue

The Merry Family video tour

From the series One hundred masterpieces
The Merry Family Jan Havicksz Steen (1626-1679), oil on canvas, 1668

This boisterous family gathering is a warning never to let it get this far. But Jan Steen also poked fun at himself. He portrayed himself playing the bagpipe, the instrument of fools.

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Want to see the works in real life? Come visit them at the Rijksmuseum! We will be happy to tell you more about it there.

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Still Life with Cheese Still Life with Cheese

Still Life with Cheese

1:21 min. - What deeper meaning did the cheese have?

Portrait of a Married Couple, Likely Isaac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen Portrait of a Married Couple, Likely Isaac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen

Portrait of a couple, probably Isaac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen

1:21 min. - What is there to smile about here?

The Threatened Swan The Threatened Swan

The Threatened Swan

1:07 min. - What’s going on with this swan?

The Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede The Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede

The Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede

1:11 min. - Do you see the miller on the balcony?

Adolf and Catharina Croeser, Known as ‘The Burgomaster of Delft and his Daughter’ Adolf and Catharina Croeser, Known as ‘The Burgomaster of Delft and his Daughter’

Adolf and Catharina Croeser

1:10 min. - What three genres do you see in this work?

The Merry Drinker The Merry Drinker

The Merry Drinker

1:17 min. - Take a look at the quick and short brushstrokes

The Feast of St Nicholas The Feast of St Nicholas

The Feast of St Nicholas

1:14 min. - How did Jan Steen instil such vivacity in this festivity?

River Landscape with Riders River Landscape with Riders

River Landscape with Riders

0:52 min. - See how wonderfully well the horses are painted

Still Life with a Gilt Cup Still Life with a Gilt Cup

Still Life with a Gilt Cup

1:13 min. - Just look at these masterful reflections and refined composition

The Merry Family The Merry Family

The Merry Family

1:35 min. - A family gathering that has gotten out of hand.

Portrait of a Girl Dressed in Blue Portrait of a Girl Dressed in Blue

Girl in Blue

1:17 min. - So what makes this such a popular painting?

View of Haarlem from the Northwest, with the Bleaching Fields in the Foreground View of Haarlem from the Northwest, with the Bleaching Fields in the Foreground

View of Haarlem from the Northwest, with the Bleaching Fields in the Foreground

1:26 min. - Go zigzagging through the envitons of Haarlem