Cister-playing woman, Jan Steen
A woman looks at us penetratingly, plucking at her sister. She sits in an empty space, so nothing distracts and her gaze is inescapable. Jan Steen is best known for his humorous, homely scenes, but he also painted several of these seductive women.
Strangely enough, Steen gave the woman a black headscarf, which you would expect from an old berry. Because of the contrast between the good cap and her penetrating gaze, it is unclear what she wants from the viewer.
Jan Havickszoon Steen (1626-1679) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, one of the leading genre painters of the 17th century. His works are known for their psychological insight, sense of humour and abundance of colour.
