Tavern Scene

1660–1670

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.