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Banquet

Jan Miense Molenaer

Basic information

ID: Ж-806
Author: Jan Miense Molenaer
Name: Banquet
Date of creation: 17th c.
Technique: oil painting
Material: wood oil
Dimensions (height x width, cm): 46.5 x 63.3

Additionally

Type: painting
Genre: genre art
Plot: Banquet at the tavern
Provenance: the Lubomirski collection
Exposition: Potocki Palace

Information about author

Author: Jan Miense Molenaer
Artist's lifetime: 1610–1668
Country: Holland
Biography: Born in Haarlem, Jan Miense Molenaer (1610–1668) was the eldest son of a local tailor. His earliest known works were similar in palette and narrative to the style of Frans Hals or his brother Dirck Hals, which he may have studied under. In 1634, Molenaer was mentioned in the Haarlem Guild of St Luke register. During the 1630s, the author depicted a wide range of subjects: biblical motifs, theatrical episodes, portraits, scenes of cheerful crowds, groups at taverns, and rural scenes. His painting style was diverse, from precise and refined to spontaneous and loose. Above all, the artist was able to give individuality to his figures and convey their interactions. In 1636, Molenaer married his colleague from Haarlem, Judith Leyster (1609–1660). Later, the couple moved to Amsterdam and lived there for twelve years. There, the painter achieved both professional and personal success. Molenaer and Leyster relocated to Hemstede, south of Haarlem, around 1648. The author was prolific but not particularly inspired in this last phase of his career. He was struggling with debt, hardship, and illness. Molenaer returned to Haarlem, where he spent the last five years of his life in a rented house.

Object description

A woman and men with a musical instrument are seated at a table in the tavern. The door behind them is open, and another man, seemingly flustered, has entered. In the foreground, a large jug is on the floor, probably empty, indicating the duration of the banquet. The cheerful people at the table are sitting comfortably. To the left, a woman and a man with joyful expressions are depicted, with the man raising his hand upwards, as if inviting the viewer to the table. The men on the right are immersed in singing, uncaring of their surroundings. The artist demonstrates a skilled portrayal of emotions and meticulous rendering of faces.

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

Banquet

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