The Merry Family

Jan Havicksz Steen (1626-1679), oil on canvas, 1668

The entire family is in high spirits, creating a ruckus: father, mother, and grandmother sing loudly, the children join in, and they even puff on long pipes. The note on the mantelpiece hints that there is a lesson to be learned from this painting: ‘As the old sing, so shall the young twitter.’ What is to become of the children if their parents set the wrong example?

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-C-229
  • Dimensionsheight 110.5 cm x width 141 cm
  • Physical characteristicsolieverf op doek