The Point-Counterpoint of Jan Steen

During the 17th century, Dutch musical style word picture flourished, large-hearted to middle class patrons by delineation everyday sustenance with charm and often a moral. Jan Steen was among the most successful genre painters, weaving witty explanation into his pictures of merriment. Rhetoricians at a Window, c. 1661-1666 (oil on canvas, 29 7/8 x 23 1/16 inches) administers as an exemplar, depicting a naturalistic background combined with layers of meaning. Even the title of respect may be get a line on many levels. however as a public speaker may refer to an smooth-spoken speaker, so, too, may it allude to a pompous or puffy person. Rhetorician also conjures up the notion of rhetoric, or the bring of making a telling argument based on a point and contrast structure. This painting cleverly provides some(prenominal) layers of point-counterpoint arguments revealed through visual analysis, thrifty reading of physiognomy of the figures, and assessing the writing as a whole, including how it engages the viewer.\nVisually, Steen presents a naturalistic scene garnish in a tavern or inn, believable in its details. Four prominent figures ar easily readable, not cartoonish or types, but portrayed with single features. Two more swarthy figures emerge from the background. The four figures up front are enclose in a window that fills the upper 2/3 of the painting, pushed forward in shoal space to the picture plane. The military position is identifiable as a public place where tipsiness is served by the prominent, diamond-shaped sign, nailed to the window fix just off center, abatement in the lower threesome of the painting. The sign features crossed swords, crude symbols for power, protection, justice, courage, and strength. Here, the crossed swords also serve as an apt token for the crossed arguments of the point and counterpoint of rhetoric. Across the top of the painting is a swag of grapevine, with a circumstances of grapes just even off of center and another bunch on the far left, as the vine tumbles down the left ...