Het huishouden van Jan Steen 1815 - 1825

F.B. Hollingerus-Pypers created this print, "Het huishouden van Jan Steen," around 1825. It presents a series of vignettes referencing the domestic life of the 17th-century Dutch painter Jan Steen. But these scenes weren't just a depiction of everyday life; they often carried moral undertones, reflecting societal values around domesticity. The artist's choice of Steen as a subject speaks to a fascination with the domestic sphere. Here, Hollingerus-Pypers engages with the representation of women and men within the household. How are the domestic roles divided and what do these interactions tell us about the gendered expectations of the time? Through these small windows into Steen's world, the artwork prompts us to consider the power dynamics inherent in domestic spaces. The final panel shows Steen with the caption "Learn to live sparingly, Jan Steen did the same and got away with it". This print invites us to reflect on the historical narratives that shape our understanding of the home and the individuals within it.