A man sits on a stool playing a lute in a modest setting, possibly a tavern. Surrounding him are variant shades of gray and brown. A music book lies on a table to his right. A crooked face with a beaming smile takes center stage as this character, a joyous musician, shares his talents with the audience. Though squinting, his eyes make contact with you, the viewer. Jan Steen’s Self-portrait with a Lute is one of his many self-portraits and one of at least two of the artist playing a Lute. While the facial characteristics and hair match Steen’s likeness, the clothing and setting indicate that this is a genre painting, meant to depict a day in the life of an ordinary, working class individual.

Little is known of Jan Steen’s personal life. Based on records from the university he attended in Leiden, he was born around 1625. It is indicated that he lacked financial stability and fame during his lifetime. Because of the humorous or immoral nature of his paintings he did not gain recognition as an influential artist of the Northern Baroque period until well into the 19th century. His oeuvre, or collection of work over his lifetime, consists of multiple styles ranging from landscape to historical and genre paintings. In his genre paintings figures are seen enjoying life’s pleasures and Steen himself is often painted as a trickster or drunkard. How much of Jan Steen’s true identity shown through his self-portraits remains unknown. Like an actor, he wears many masks and performs many parts. His humor exudes from the canvas and his emotion, while a mere performance, draws the viewer in and provokes a reaction.

by Lee Tipton