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A Young Woman playing a Harpsichord to a Young Man

Jan Steen (1625/1626–1679)

The National Gallery, London

A Young Woman playing a Harpsichord to a Young Man

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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An elegantly dressed young woman plays a harpsichord for a man leaning on the instrument. Music is often related to love in Dutch paintings, but in contrast to other genre scenes of this kind the couple don't appear to be flirting. The young woman is concentrating on her sheet of music.The Latin inscriptions placed on the instrument provide a witty and ironic commentary. The words ‘SOLI DEO GLORIA’ ('Glory to God alone') appear below the keys, implying that the young woman is playing solely for the glory of God. But the inscription on the open lid reads ‘ACTA VIRUM PROBANT’ ('actions prove the man'): the young woman’s admirer is about to take more active steps. Presumably he will soon join the woman in an intimate duet, accompanying her on the theorbo that the pageboy seen through the open door is carrying.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A Young Woman playing a Harpsichord to a Young Man

Date

probably 1659

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 42.3 x W 33 cm

Accession number

NG856

Acquisition method

Bought, 1871

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Jan Steen

1625/1626–1679

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