Jan Steen: Sacred and Profane

21 November 2026 - 25 April 2027
Sir Hugh Lane Room | Admission free.

Marking the 400th anniversary of his birth, the National Gallery of Ireland celebrates Jan Steen, one of the seventeenth century’s leading painters. Renowned for his ability to capture the variety and humour of human nature, Steen’s work extends beyond the chaotic genre scenes for which he is best known, encompassing exquisitely painted religious narratives, portraits, and high-society scenes. Our two Steen paintings, The Village School (c. 1665) and The Marriage Feast at Cana (1665–70), exemplify the artist’s remarkable range. This special display brings together a selection of his masterpieces from international loans, offering a comprehensive look at his most productive decades. It explores Steen’s distinct approach to each genre he painted, while uniting them through his narrative mastery and covering the spectrum of humanity - from the sacred to the profane. 

Curator: Dr Lizzie Marx, Curator of Dutch and Flemish Art at the National Gallery of Ireland.