Effects of Intemperance 1665

"Effects of Intemperance" by Jan Steen, painted in 1665, depicts a chaotic scene of domestic life. The painting portrays a woman passed out from overindulgence, likely alcohol, while a young girl tries to coax a parrot to speak. The scene is full of playful details, including a cat being fed and children interacting with each other, but a sense of disorder prevails. Steen's genre painting, characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age, captures the realities of everyday life and the consequences of excess, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of intemperance. The artwork, currently housed in the National Gallery in London, is a vivid portrayal of domestic life in 17th-century Holland.