PRIDE AND PERSECUTION: Jan Steen's Old Testament Scenes

First published to accompany an exhibition of art of the same name at the at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham in October 2017 to January 2018, this rare exhibition catalogue is a celebration of Jan Steen's distinctive genius. Steen (1626-1679) is now widely admired as one of the most engaging and technically brilliant painters of the Dutch Golden Age. He produced a remarkable group of around 70 history paintings, depicting subjects taken principally from the Bible and classical mythology and history. The book concentrates specifically on his Old Testament scenes which represent some of his most ambitious works, none more so than the Wrath of Ahasuerus. In about 25 extant or securely documented paintings, Steen represented some 16 scenes from seven books of the Old Testament. We look closely at the paintings' resonances with Jewish history, culture, picture collecting and theatricality. Comparisons are made with Rembrandt and other great contemporary Dutch painters. Steen slowly shed his unfortunate reputation as a drunk and rather boorish character, and he was praised for his clarity and expressiveness, and his ability to render the humanity of his characters. We are led to understand his sarcastic and comical approach and note that his treatment of the subject of the Marriage at Cana, at which water was miraculously turned into wine, was probably the only Biblical miracle that could truly have touched Steen given his reputation as a jolly drinker. Samson and Delilah, Amnon and Tamar, the Head of a God, Esther accusing Haman at the Banquet, Jews in the Synagogue are among the full-page colour reproductions together with a useful timeline and many other woodcut and colour illustrations. 84 page large paperback.