The Point-Counterpoint of Jan Steen

During the 17th century, Dutch musical style scene flourished, harmonic to middle class patrons by portrait everyday spirit with charm and often a moral. Jan Steen was among the most successful genre painters, weaving witty definition into his pictures of merriment. Rhetoricians at a Window, c. 1661-1666 (oil on canvas, 29 7/8 x 23 1/16 inches) inspection and repairs as an exemplar, depicting a naturalistic photograph combined with layers of meaning. Even the title of respect may be make on many levels. on the nose as a speechmaker may refer to an silvery speaker, so, too, may it allude to a pompous or declamatory person. Rhetorician also conjures up the notion of rhetoric, or the displace of making a smooth-tongued argument based on a point and contrast structure. This painting cleverly provides several(prenominal) layers of point- contrast arguments revealed through visual analysis, sleepless reading of physiognomy of the figures, and assessing the report as a wh ole, including how it engages the viewer. \nVisually, Steen presents a naturalistic scene fixed in a tap house or inn, believable in its details. Four prominent figures argon easily readable, not cartoonish or types, but portrayed with individualistic features. Two more lightheaded figures emerge from the background. The four figures up front are image in a window that fills the upper 2/3 of the painting, pushed forward in shallow space to the picture plane. The reparation is identifiable as a public place where fox is served by the prominent, diamond-shaped sign, nailed to the window frame just off center, suspension in the lower triad of the painting. The sign features crossed swords, putting surface symbols for power, protection, justice, courage, and strength. Here, the crossed swords also serve as an apt apologue for the crossed arguments of the point and counterpoint of rhetoric. Across the top of the painting is a swag of grapevine, with a plunk of grapes just a right of center and another bunch on the far left, as the vine tumbles down the left ...