Interior of a tavern with card players and a man playing the violin

Jan Steen’s painting, which dates from the mid-1660s, depicts human folly and intemperance depicted with the artist’s characteristic indulgence and comedy. The underlying joke of the painting is that men, whatever they do, have one thing on their minds. The violinist looks at a girl to whom he seems to be serenading. The laughing drinker at the fireplace on the left, possibly a self-portrait, sits next to a young woman holding a glass of wine in a suggestive position while a woman stokes the fire, suggesting that the scene takes place in her brothel. Elsewhere, three men of different ages play cards with a woman holding an ace of diamonds with a triumphant and complicit gaze, as the action suggests that the three are competing for her favours and that, whatever happens, she will emerge as the winner. However, the old man in the middle distance seems to be able to concentrate on drinking and dancing without being distracted.

Collection: Images

Project: 3. Rural world and urban world in the formation of the European identity., 4. Family, daily life and social inequality in Europe.

Chronology: XVII

Scope: Secondary education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: https://www.rct.uk/collection/405825/interior-of-a-tavern-with-cardplayers-and-a-violin-player

Resource type: Image

Format: Oil on canvas (81,9 x 70,6 cm)

Source: Royall Collection (Reino Unido)

Language: English

Date: ca. 1655

Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)