Curator's Introductory Talk | Jan Steen: Sacred and Profane

Join us online for this free introduction to our exhibition, Jan Steen: Sacred and Profane.

Discover more about this exhibition at this online curator's introductory talk with Dr Lizzie Marx. 

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.

• This free talk will take place online via Zoom. Login details will be contained in the e-mail booking receipt.
• The talk will be recorded and made available on the Gallery's YouTube channel until the exhibition ends. 
• This event will be accompanied by an Irish sign language interpreter.
• There will be time for questions after the talk