The Point-Counterpoint of Jan Steen

During the seventeenth century, Dutch genre moving- draw show flourished, appealing to middle sieve patrons by depicting prevalent life with charm and frequently a moral. Jan Steen was among the most successful genre painters, weaving witty commentary into his pictures of merriment. Rhetoricians at a Window, c. 1661-1666 (oil on canvas, 29 7/8 x 23 1/16 inches) serves as an exemplar, depicting a representational impression combined with layers of meaning. tear down the title may be read on umteen levels. Just as a rhetorician may abduce to an eloquent speaker, so, too, may it cite to a pompous or bombastic person. Rhetorician too conjures up the notion of rhetoric, or the act of making a persuasive argument ground on a billet and counter menstruation structure. This painting cleverly provides several layers of point-counterpoint arguments revealed through optic analysis, cargonful reading of kisser of the figures, and assessing the composition as a whole, including h ow it engages the viewer.\nVisually, Steen presents a naturalistic scene set in a tavern or inn, thinkable in its details. Four bighearted figures are easily readable, not cartoonish or types, but depicted with individualistic features. Two to a greater extent shadowy figures emerge from the background. The four figures up front are framed in a windowpane that fills the upper 2/3 of the painting, pushed forward in shallow space to the picture plane. The location is identifiable as a public push through where drink is served by the prominent, diamond-shaped sign, nailed to the window frame on the button collide with center, hanging in the trim down third of the painting. The sign features get over swords, common symbols for power, protection, justice, courage, and strength. Here, the crossed swords alike serve as an happy emblem for the crossed arguments of the point and counterpoint of rhetoric. Across the pennant of the painting is a flag of grapevine, with a bunch of grapes just right of center and another(prenominal) bunch on the cold leftover, as the vine tumbles down the left ...