Artwork
The Five Senses: Touch
The Five Senses: Touch is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Miense Molenaer. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.
About this work
Overview
The Five Senses: Touch is a 1637 oil painting by Jan Miense Molenaer, a Dutch Golden Age artist known for his everyday scenes. The work is part of the Mauritshuis collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts an intimate domestic scene: a woman gently brushes a man's hair while another man observes. The characters' relaxed postures and expressions convey a sense of quiet companionship.
Technique & Style
Molenaer's use of chiaroscuro creates depth and volume in the dimly lit scene, emphasizing the figures and their interactions. The artist's attention to detail and expressive brushwork contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Context
As a genre painter, Molenaer focused on everyday life, often sharing a studio with his wife, Judith Leyster, also a painter. The work reflects the Dutch Golden Age interest in domestic scenes and the exploration of human experience.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
