Who painted Shoot for a Prize?

Shoot for a Prize was painted by Jan Miense Molenaer in 1656.

Where can I see Shoot for a Prize?

Shoot for a Prize is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Shoot for a Prize?

Shoot for a Prize is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Shoot for a Prize?

Museum-quality prints of Shoot for a Prize are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Shoot for a Prize

Jan Miense Molenaer , 1656

Shoot for a Prize is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Miense Molenaer. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Jan Miense Molenaer’s 1656 oil painting *Shoot for a Prize* captures a bustling outdoor gathering centered on a target. A group of figures, dressed in period costume, watch attentively as some hold bows and arrows, their gazes directed upward. Behind them a windmill and a stand of trees frame a cloudy sky, lending the scene a sense of place and atmospheric depth.

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of the windmill anchors the scene in a recognizable Dutch setting, reinforcing the connection between local customs and the natural environment.

The work depicts a communal archery contest, a popular pastime in 17th‑century Dutch towns. By focusing on the participants’ anticipation and the surrounding landscape, Molenaer highlights everyday leisure and social interaction, themes common to genre painting of the era. The inclusion of the windmill anchors the scene in a recognizable Dutch setting, reinforcing the connection between local customs and the natural environment.

Technique & Style

Molenaer employs a balanced palette of muted earth tones and brighter accents to model figures and convey depth. His handling of light creates subtle contrasts between foreground activity and the hazy background, while the brushwork remains fine enough to render clothing details yet loose enough to suggest movement. The composition reflects the influence of Frans Hals, particularly in the lively interaction among the characters.

History & Provenance

*Shoot for a Prize* belongs to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection. Molenaer, a contemporary of Jan Steen and husband of fellow genre painter Judith Leyster, likely received training in the Haarlem workshop of Frans Hals. The painting exemplifies his role as a forerunner of Steen’s narrative style and contributes to the broader picture of Dutch Golden Age genre painting.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jan Miense Molenaer

Jan Miense Molenaer (1610 – buried 19 September 1668) was a Dutch Golden Age genre painter whose style was a precursor to Jan Steen's work during Dutch Golden Age painting.