Who painted Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana was painted by Jan Steen.

Where can I see Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana is held by Charles Sedelmeyer collection.

What movement is Marriage at Cana?

Marriage at Cana is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Marriage at Cana?

Museum-quality prints of Marriage at Cana are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Marriage at Cana

Jan Steen

Marriage at Cana is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It is held in the collection of the Charles Sedelmeyer collection.

About this work

Overview

Jan Steen’s oil on canvas, dated 1688, portrays the biblical wedding at Cana. The composition fills a spacious interior where a multitude of figures celebrate a feast, their gestures and expressions conveying a bustling, convivial atmosphere. The work is part of the collection at the Norton Simon Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The scene interprets the New Testament episode in which Jesus turns water into wine, focusing on the communal revelry rather than the miracle itself. By emphasizing the joyous participation of guests, the painting underscores themes of hospitality, abundance, and the social dimensions of sacred events.

Technique & Style

Steen employs a warm palette of reds, golds, and yellows, using loose brushwork to suggest movement among the crowd. The arrangement of figures across multiple planes creates depth, while the detailed rendering of textiles and tableware reflects his Dutch genre‑painting heritage.

History & Provenance

Executed in the late 17th century, the canvas remained in private hands before entering the Norton Simon Museum’s holdings. Its attribution to Steen has been consistently affirmed by scholars, situating the work within his later period of religious subject matter.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the painting reflects contemporary interest in combining biblical narratives with everyday domestic settings. Steen, known for genre scenes, adapts his familiar observational style to a sacred story, bridging devotional content with popular visual culture of his time.