Jan Steen 1632-1675. Rijksmuseum Dossier

Jan Steen is surely the most amusing painter of the seventeenth century. His paintings reveal a keen interest in scenes from day to day life, for weddings and feasts, for the celebration of St. Nicholas and the Epiphany, and never without a comical note. He is also, however, a superb painter with a unique technique and remarkable methods of working. This publication discusses the many works by Jan Steen in the Rijksmuseum, and leads on from there to explore his entire oeuvre. Besides his work the book also describes his life, his self-image and his reputation. The elusive Jan Steen was more than just a comedian and the colloquial symbol of a disorderly household; he was also a connoisseur of art and theatre and well-educated in the stories of classical mythology and the Bible. A gifted and entertaining painter, Jan Steen deserves the fullest praise.