The Sick Girl
c. 1660
Jan Steen was the king of chaotic Dutch households, and this scene is a perfect example of his playful storytelling. A doctor in a tall hat checks the pulse of a young woman, but look closely at the statue of Cupid on the mantle—she’s likely suffering from 'lovesickness,' a cheeky metaphor for romantic longing! The room is delightfully messy with scattered slippers and a jug, while a dog naps on a cushion, completely unbothered by the medical drama. Steen often hid moral lessons in his lively genre scenes, poking fun at human folly and disorder.
- Technique
- Oil on panel
- Material
- Wood panel
- Dimensions
- 68.5 cm x 58 cm
Location: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
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