Beautiful painting.
The interior is sumptuously painted: ornately-carved doorway, a gilt-framed painting, graceful harpsichord, and luxuriously adorned silks.
Jan Steen was a famous Dutch genre painter often depicting satirical images with a “moralistic” cautionary overtone.
According to the Wallace Collection:
Here, a mismatched pair of lovers forms the subject: an old fool, in outmoded dress, masquerades as the music teacher of a prim young girl, seated at a harpsichord. The large key hanging prominently in the centre of the picture is placed on a line above the hand of the old man, implying his desire. That, however, his advances go unnoticed is indicated by the painting above it. It shows Venus, the goddess of love, and Cupid, the god of erotic desire, both of whom are asleep.
The suggestion of the teacher exploiting the student may be the case - accounting for his senescence.
Dutch art is replete with the theme of music lessons as a pretext for courtship. It’s interesting that the student is appears oblivious (which makes it all the more unpleasant).
That is a nice painting.
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DeleteSo much character and intrest.
ReplyDeleteSteen’s wit and subtle moral commentary truly reveal the uneasy tension between charm and corruption in everyday life
ReplyDeleteSteen and his contemporaries' art works were much more approachable than other nations' coronations, battle scenes, military parades, hunting parties and noble marriages. Domestic scenes, even with a moralising element, are still very appealing.
ReplyDeleteNice painting but the lass has her wrist bent and that is something that you don't do when playing.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware of the theme of music lessons as a pretext for courtship. Have to admit I'm not familiar with Jan Steen's work, but that painting is wonderful. I don't buy the idea of the key signifying the old gent's desire though. Maybe the key was simply the key to the harpsichord??
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