Tavern Scene 

Jan Steen, painted this genre scene which captures a slice of 17th-century Dutch life. Born in Leiden, Steen was not only an artist but also an innkeeper, which gave him a front-row seat to the daily dramas of ordinary people. Here we see a boisterous tavern interior. It's a space alive with social exchange, but also subtle tensions. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Steen positions the figures, a central female figure seems to be caught in a transaction, perhaps exploited, while others indulge in drink and revelry. The older woman counting coins introduces an element of financial exchange, likely at the expense of the central younger woman. Steen frequently included moralizing elements in his paintings, and it's hard to ignore the implications about female exploitation. The scene invites us to reflect on the social dynamics of the time, and how women navigated a world dominated by men and commerce.