Jan Steen (1626-1679) is one of the most admired and quintessential seventeenth-century Dutch painters. His repertoire included genre, portraits, refined images of upper-class life, and complex, witty comic narratives. He also painted religious and mythological scenes that vary from quiet and intimate to grand and melodramatic. In his brushwork he displayed an astonishing range, from extremely fine to remarkably loose, even within a single painting. Written by H. Perry Chapman, Wouter Th. Kloek, and Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr., with contributions by other noted art historians, this book draws on the most recent scholarship and archival research to reassess Steen within the context of seventeenth-century Netherlandish artistic, literary, and cultural movements. A translation of Arnold Houbraken's biography of Steen, written in the eighteenth century, is included, as well as a biographical essay that uses numerous contemporary sources to present the most comprehensive profile on Steen yet published. Other essays discuss Steen's relationship to the theater and to other Dutch painters of the time, his critical reception, and his varied self-portrayals. Fifty of Steen's paintings, chosen to demonstrate his consummate skill as both painter and storyteller, are catalogued in detail. This lavishly illustrated book is the catalogue for an exhibition of the works of Jan Steen, coorganized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Jan Steen: Painter and Storyteller

Arts & Photography

Wheelock Jr., Arthur K.

Kloek, Wouter Th.

Chapman, H. Perry

Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions

National Gallery Washington

This beautiful book is the second in a four-part series that paints a picture of Dutch art from the late middle ages to the beginning of the twentieth century. The series provides a broad panorama of the achievements of Dutch painters, draughtsmen, sculptors, gold and silversmiths, glass engravers, weavers, potters, and cabinetmakers over the centuries, illustrating its survey with a selection of works of art taken from the unparalleled collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This volume, which focuses on the period from 1600 to 1700, places the works from this magnificent period in their historical context and discusses their origins, significance, and distinguishing features. The book is arranged chronologically in three sections, each opening with a brief introduction that sketches the historical and art-historical outlines of the period and each including reproductions and discussions of the works of art. Longer essays in the beginning of the book address other issues that illuminate the art of the period. Although the book focuses on works from the Rijksmuseum, it includes illustrations of key works from other sources as well. Together the text and the many reproductions form a book that will become a treasured possession of visitors to the Rijksmuseum and of art lovers everywhere.

Netherlandish Art: 1600-1700

Baarsen, Reinier J.

Cornelis, Bart

Kok, Jan Piet Filedt

Jansen, Guido

Scholten, Frits

Wallert, Arie

History & Criticism

Yale University Press

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