Who painted Family scene?

Family scene was painted by Jan Steen in 1669.

Where can I see Family scene?

Family scene is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Family scene?

Family scene is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Family scene?

Museum-quality prints of Family scene are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Family scene

Jan Steen , 1669

Family scene is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It dates from 1669 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition balances narrative detail with a restrained palette, creating a cohesive visual harmony that underscores the scene's everyday realism.

The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 48.5 cm by 40 cm. Steen applies thin, blended brushwork to render the domestic interior with subtle chiaroscuro, emphasizing the figures' gestures and the textured surfaces of fabrics and furniture. The composition balances narrative detail with a restrained palette, creating a cohesive visual harmony that underscores the scene's everyday realism.

History & Provenance

Jan Steen executed the genre painting Family scene in 1669. Created using oil paint on a panel support, the work measures 48.5 cm in height and 40 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the piece was once part of the collection assembled by Adriaan van der Hoop.

Following its time in van der Hoop's possession, the painting entered the holdings of major Dutch institutions, specifically the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Museum, where it remains preserved today.

The painting Family scene by Jan Steen, dated 1669, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work entered the museum's holdings through the Adriaan van der Hoop collection. Executed in oil on panel, the piece measures 48.5 cm in height and 40 cm in width.

While the artwork is part of the permanent assembly at the Rijksmuseum, the provided records do not list specific past exhibitions or temporary loan histories for this particular object.

Legacy

The painting's influence and legacy are rooted in its representation of 17th-century Dutch domestic life, as exemplified by its genre scene of family interaction. Its inclusion in prominent collections such as the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum, alongside its historical ownership by Adriaan van der Hoop, underscores its significance in art historical narratives. The work's enduring presence in museum collections and scholarly discourse reflects its role in shaping perceptions of genre painting and Dutch Golden Age art.

The painting measures 48.5 cm in height and 40 cm in width, created in oil paint on panel in 1669.

Overview

Family scene is a 1669 oil painting by Jan Steen, held at the Rijksmuseum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a lively gathering around a table, with a woman in blue holding a baby and a man dipping bread into a bowl, surrounded by others eating, drinking, or laughing.

Context

The painting represents a typical Dutch domestic scene of its time, reflecting the everyday life and humor found in many Dutch homes.