Jan Steen
Jan Steen’s Marriage at Cana
Talar Shahinian
Art 102
Ms. Deborah Thomas
November 18, 2011
Jan Steen, Marriage at Cana Jan Steen’s Marriage at Cana can be found at The Norton Simon Foundation. It was created by Dutch painter Jan Steen in 1676. The painting stands at a descent size at 3.375 x 43 in. (79.7 x 109.2 cm) in the hall designated to European Art during the 17th and 18th centuries in the Norton Simon Museum. Jan Steen is highly known for his oil on canvas. This particular painting is also a work of art that is oil painted on canvas. Marriage at Cana depicts the story of Christ’s first public miracle that was performed during a wedding feast in the small village of Cana found in Galilee, Israel. This scene from biblical studies appears in the second chapter of John. During a wedding feast, Christ’s mother whispers in his ear that the wine has been exhausted. Jesus claims that he is not ready but carries on. He asked the servants to fill six stone jars with water, and then miraculously transformed them into the finest wine. Notice how Steen never depicted the miracle directly; instead, he used the excuse of the miracle to paint an extravagant wedding party and feast. Jesus’ presence is hardly noticeable as he performs his miracle quietly in the middle ground on the left-hand side, identifiable only by a dim halo. Eyes modestly downcast, he is surrounded by an array of cheerful and disorderly characters celebrating the wedding, most of whom are oblivious to the miracle that just occurred. In the middle for example, stands a woman carrying a napkin full of leftovers, trying to discourage her drunken husband from sampling the “miraculous” beverage that had just appeared. To the right, behind her, a meaty cook oversees the feast, identified by his dirty white apron and a cloth for handling hot platters thrown over his right shoulder. He offers wine to the guests of honor, the bride and groom, seated under a grand canopy. Above, musicians play on the
Talar Shahinian
Art 102
Ms. Deborah Thomas
November 18, 2011
Jan Steen, Marriage at Cana Jan Steen’s Marriage at Cana can be found at The Norton Simon Foundation. It was created by Dutch painter Jan Steen in 1676. The painting stands at a descent size at 3.375 x 43 in. (79.7 x 109.2 cm) in the hall designated to European Art during the 17th and 18th centuries in the Norton Simon Museum. Jan Steen is highly known for his oil on canvas. This particular painting is also a work of art that is oil painted on canvas. Marriage at Cana depicts the story of Christ’s first public miracle that was performed during a wedding feast in the small village of Cana found in Galilee, Israel. This scene from biblical studies appears in the second chapter of John. During a wedding feast, Christ’s mother whispers in his ear that the wine has been exhausted. Jesus claims that he is not ready but carries on. He asked the servants to fill six stone jars with water, and then miraculously transformed them into the finest wine. Notice how Steen never depicted the miracle directly; instead, he used the excuse of the miracle to paint an extravagant wedding party and feast. Jesus’ presence is hardly noticeable as he performs his miracle quietly in the middle ground on the left-hand side, identifiable only by a dim halo. Eyes modestly downcast, he is surrounded by an array of cheerful and disorderly characters celebrating the wedding, most of whom are oblivious to the miracle that just occurred. In the middle for example, stands a woman carrying a napkin full of leftovers, trying to discourage her drunken husband from sampling the “miraculous” beverage that had just appeared. To the right, behind her, a meaty cook oversees the feast, identified by his dirty white apron and a cloth for handling hot platters thrown over his right shoulder. He offers wine to the guests of honor, the bride and groom, seated under a grand canopy. Above, musicians play on the
Cited: Norton, John. "The Marriage at Cana." America 2007: 26-. ProQuest. Web. 17 Nov. 2011 . "Jan Steen Biography - ArtinthePicture.com." Art in the Picture.com - An Introduction to Art History. Artinthepicture.com. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. "Jan Steen." NNDB: Tracking the Entire World. Soylent Communications. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. "Marriage at Cana - Browse by Title - Norton Simon Museum." Home » Norton Simon Museum. The Norton Simon Foundation. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.