Beware of Luxury
“In Weelde Siet Toe”
Jan Steen was the 17th-century master of the messy house, and this chaotic scene is a visual proverb warning that too much fun leads to ruin. The Dutch title 'In Weelde Siet Toe' translates to 'Beware of Luxury,' showing a family whose wealth has made them lazy and sick. The woman in the center has gout from rich living, a doctor is checking a urine flask, a pig is eating off the floor, and a duck is casually perched on a man's shoulder. It’s a hilarious, cluttered snapshot of moral decay where even the children are learning bad habits amidst the scattered food and cards.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen