The Dissolute Household by Jan Steen. A chaotic 17th-century Dutch interior scene showing a family in various states of indulgence amidst scattered food, musical instruments, and a cat.

The Dissolute Household

Jan Steen

1664 · Oil Paint, Canvas

A masterpiece of Dutch genre painting by Jan Steen, capturing a scene of humorous moral disorder in a 17th-century household.

$129

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Where it works

A substantial artwork with a strong pulse with warm, lived-in color — gives the room a clear visual center.

Often works in
Living Room · Dining Room · Library
Placement
Reads best as a confident vertical anchor
Walls
Best where a lighter wall gives it room to show
Color notes
Charcoal black, Deep burgundy, Rich brown

About the piece

Painted by Jan Steen in 1664, 'The Dissolute Household' is a quintessential example of Dutch Golden Age genre painting. The work depicts a family neglecting their chores and moral duties in favor of worldly pleasures, rendered with the artist's celebrated wit and meticulous attention to texture, from the glint of glassware to the drape of fine fabrics.

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