Jan SteenDutch, 1626–1679Self-portrait
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
A distinguished citizen dressed in decorous black is seated before a red curtain and tassel. Jan Steen, known primarily for his humorous scenes with simple folk, portrayed himself here as utterly self-assured. He also regularly included himself in other paintings, but then usually in a comic role.
Rijksmuseum
Particulars
- Accession number
- SK-A-383
What it shows
In the catalog
Comings and goings
On view · Room 2.30 · Gallery of Honour
Rijksmuseum · Sep 29, 2026 — now · Verified
Whether it was on view is unknown
Rijksmuseum · Unconfirmed
Sources
- Rijksmuseum
- Image: Rijksmuseum — public domain
Meanwhile, in the life of Jan Steen
The whole life1660–1670
Haarlem: his most productive period
From 1660 to 1670 Steen lived in Haarlem, and this was the most productive period of his life.
1669–1670
The deaths of his wife, mother and father
By 1669 Steen's finances had improved, but in the spring his wife died, later that year his mother, and a year later his father.
1670
Returns to Leiden, to his parents' house
After his father's death Steen returned to Leiden and lived for the rest of his life in the house he inherited from his parents.
1671
Elected head of the Leiden Guild of St Luke
In 1671 Steen was elected princeps — head — of the local Guild of St Luke.
1672
Opens the tavern “De Vrede” (“Peace”)
Steen opened the tavern “De Vrede” (“Peace”); his debts mounted again, the art market was declining, and according to Houbraken he often spent his time drinking.
1672
The “Year of Disaster”: the art market collapses
In 1672, known in the Netherlands as the “Year of Disaster”, the art market collapsed.
