Artwork
A Village Wedding
A Village Wedding is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jan Steen's 'A Village Wedding' (1670) is an oil painting depicting a lively, crowded wedding scene in a rustic setting, characterized by its detailed, realistic portrayal of everyday life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the communal joy of a village wedding, with a bride and groom at its center, surrounded by merry-making villagers. The scene conveys the warmth and chaos of a celebratory gathering.
Technique & Style
Steen employed chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth, with warm lighting casting shadows across the room. His attention to individual faces and expressions, amidst the clutter of a worn, decorated interior, showcases his skill in capturing realism and vitality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1670, 'A Village Wedding' is part of the collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Havickszoon Steen was a Dutch Golden Age painter, one of the leading genre painters of the 17th century.
Paintings of physicians by Jan Steen
The Dissolute Household
Merry Company on a Terrace
Esther, Ahasuerus, and Haman
Interior of an inn with an old man amusing himself with the landlady and two men playing backgammon, known as 'Two kinds of games'
The Drunken Couple
The Happy Family
Bathsheba after the Bath
