An Itinerant Musician saluting Two Women in a Kitchen
- Artist: Jan Steen
- Date: probably about 1770
- Medium: oil on paper
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "An Itinerant Musician saluting Two Women in a Kitchen" painted by Jan Steen. Painted around 1770, it's an oil on paper work that has sparked debate over its meaning. At first glance, it appears to be a simple scene of an itinerant musician approaching two women in a tavern-like setting. But look closer and you'll see the artist was known for his subtle nuances.
The man's flute can be seen sticking out of his pocket, but some interpret this as having phallic overtones. The mussel shells on the floor may also have been meant to suggest female sensuality. And while we don't know if this is a brothel or just a tavern, women in such places often engaged in prostitution.
Despite its potentially risqué themes, the faces of those depicted show a high degree of amusement. This was typical for Steen's work and hints at his irreverent style.
See it in person
An Itinerant Musician saluting Two Women in a Kitchen hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
