Who painted Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana was painted by Jan Steen in 1668-01-01.

Where can I see Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Marriage at Cana by Jan Steen (1668) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition includes a central figure of Jesus, attendees, and a bustling crowd, emphasizing communal joy and sacred intervention.

The painting depicts the biblical wedding at Cana where Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine. This scene symbolizes divine revelation and the transformation of ordinary elements into spiritual abundance, reflecting themes of faith and celebration within a religious context. The composition includes a central figure of Jesus, attendees, and a bustling crowd, emphasizing communal joy and sacred intervention.

Technique & Style

Jan Steen's Marriage at Cana is executed in oil paint on a support measuring 63.5 cm in height by 82.5 cm in width. Classified as a painting, the work belongs to the religious genre, with Steen treating the biblical wedding feast as a lively genre scene populated by figures including a woman, Jesus Christ, and wedding guests. The relatively modest dimensions and oil medium are consistent with Steen's cabinet-scale productions of the period, allowing for the detailed handling of figures and crowd typical of his narrative compositions.

History & Provenance

The Marriage at Cana by Jan Steen is dated 1668 and has remained in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, since its acquisition.

The painting was created in 1668 as a depiction of the biblical Wedding at Cana, a scene traditionally associated with the first miracle of Jesus. It is catalogued as a religious genre work by Steen, executed in oil on canvas with dimensions of 63.5 cm in height and 82.5 cm in width.

The painting Marriage at Cana by Jan Steen is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it is cataloged under an accession number recorded in the institution’s records. Its exhibition history includes displays within the gallery’s permanent collection and select thematic exhibitions focused on Dutch Golden Age works.

Legacy

Jan Steen's 1668 oil painting Marriage at Cana, housed in the National Gallery of Ireland, has been recognized for its vibrant composition and narrative depth, influencing later Dutch genre painters who emulated its lively domestic scenes. The work's depiction of biblical celebration continues to inform scholarship on Baroque religious art and its adaptation in 17th-century visual culture.

Overview

Jan Steen’s oil painting ‘Marriage at Cana’, executed in 1668, presents a bustling wedding banquet. The canvas captures a moment of communal celebration, with guests gathered around tables, a richly draped interior, and a prominent jug held by a kneeling figure. The work resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Context

Although best known for domestic genre scenes, Steen applied his observational skill to biblical narratives, merging sacred content with everyday realism. The painting aligns with the Dutch Golden Age’s interest in moralizing stories presented through familiar, convivial settings, inviting viewers to contemplate the miracle within a relatable social framework.