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Jan Steen (Leiden 1626 – Leiden 1679)

A Village Fair

1668/70

Now on display in the museum

Villagers are playing music, dancing and drinking at a tavern. Two lovers have gone off behind the gate on the right for an intimate moment together, unaware that a woman is crouching to relieve herself at their feet. Left, a man is stumbling home, too drunk to walk alone. Jan Steen painted this disordered scene while he was living in Haarlem in the 1660s. It was intended as an amusing warning to his audience not to indulge in immoral behaviour. A gentle admonition.

  • Creator

    Jan Steen (Leiden 1626 – Leiden 1679)

  • Title

    A Village Fair

  • Date

    1668/70

  • Collection

    Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem

  • Material

    Canvas

FRANS HALS MUSEUM

Groot Heiligland 62, Haarlem


Open Tuesday – Sunday
11 AM – 5 PM

HAL

Grote Markt 16, Haarlem


Temporary modern and contemporary art exhibition

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