The Life of Man


The Life of Man

c. 1665 Non visible

The curtain is lifted to give us a clear view of an inn, where young and old are enjoying eating, drinking, playing and flirting.

But for Jan Steen, it was not just about cheerful conviviality. His message is concealed in a small detail by the window. Up in the dark attic, a boy is blowing bubbles next to a skull. Although life is wonderful, eventually it will burst like a bubble.

Détails techniques


The Life of Man

c. 1665 Non visible

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Détails

Informations générales
Titre The Life of Man
Datation c. 1665
Numéro d'inventaire 170
Détails des matériaux et techniques
Technique N/A
Dimensions 68.5 x 81.6 cm
Inscriptions
: JSteen
JS in ligature

Origine

Adriaan Bout, The Hague; his sale, The Hague, 11 August 1733 (Lugt 427), no. 134 (515 guilders); Benjamin da Costa, The Hague; his sale, The Hague, 13 August 1764 (Lugt 1400), no. 62 (for 1,745 guilders to Tethart Philipp Christian Haag for Prince William V); Prince William V, The Hague, 1768-1795; confiscated by the French, transferred to the Muséum central des arts/Musée Napoléon (Musée du Louvre), Paris, 1795-1815; Royal Picture Gallery, housed in the Prince William V Gallery, The Hague, 1816; transferred to the Mauritshuis, 1822