Jan SteenDutch, 1626–1679Singing Fiddler
May one see it?
Unknown
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The owner is known; whether it is on view today is not.
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Not all violins were costly concert instruments. Many inexpensive versions were made for more vernacular uses. These were also in great demand, including for playing dance music. This violinist certainly belongs in an inn or pub. The pitcher next to him suggests high spirits. He sings a song accompanying himself on the violin with evident gusto.
Rijksmuseum
Particulars
- Accession number
- RP-T-1879-A-9
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Rijksmuseum
- Image: Rijksmuseum — public domain
Meanwhile, in the life of Jan Steen
The whole life1648
Joins the Leiden Guild of St Luke
Together with Gabriël Metsu and other painters Steen joined the recently founded Guild of St Luke in Leiden.
1649
Moves to The Hague; works with Jan van Goyen
From 1649 Steen lived in The Hague, where he first worked with the landscape painter Jan van Goyen, who became his father-in-law.
3 October 1649
Marries Margriet, daughter of Jan van Goyen
On 3 October 1649 Steen married Margriet, the daughter of Jan van Goyen; they had eight children.
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.
3 February 1679
Died
