Who painted Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess?

Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess was painted by Jan Steen in 1670.

Where can I see Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess?

Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess is held by Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What movement is Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess?

Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess

Jan Steen , 1670

Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jan Steen’s oil painting Tavern Scene with a Pregnant Hostess, dated 1670, depicts a lively interior of a Dutch tavern. The work is part of the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and exemplifies Steen’s interest in genre scenes that capture everyday moments.

Subject & Meaning

At the left side of the canvas a visibly pregnant hostess stands, dressed in a long brown gown and a white headscarf, holding a pitcher as she serves the patrons. Around a table, several men converse, one of them playing a lute, suggesting music and conviviality as central elements of the gathering.

Technique & Style

Steen employs warm, earthy tones and a soft, diffused light that bathes the room, creating a sense of intimacy. The composition balances figures and objects—such as a hanging birdcage—while the brushwork conveys texture in fabrics and the gleam of metalware, characteristic of Dutch genre painting of the period.

History & Provenance

The painting was executed in 1670 and later entered the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented in the available sources.

Context

The work aligns with Steen’s broader oeuvre, which frequently portrays domestic and public scenes of 17th‑century Dutch life. By focusing on a tavern setting and a pregnant hostess, the painting reflects contemporary social customs surrounding hospitality, music, and communal drinking.