Jan Steen

Jan Steen (1626-1679) was a Dutch painter known for his humorous genre scenes and satirical depictions of Dutch society. He was born in Leiden, the son of a brewer, and initially trained with his father before studying with the Dutch artist Nicolaes Knüpfer. Steen later joined the Guild of Saint Luke in The Hague, where he developed his distinctive style and produced works featuring lively and often chaotic scenes of everyday life. He is particularly known for his depictions of boisterous taverns, where drinkers and musicians are shown enjoying themselves with abandon. Steen was also skilled in painting historical and biblical subjects, and his works often contain moralizing messages. Despite his popularity during his lifetime, Steen died in relative obscurity and his reputation was only revived in the 19th century, when he was recognized as one of the most important Dutch painters of the 17th century.