Prince of Orange's Birthday

To the health of the Nassau line in one hand a rapier (sword) in the other hand the glass.' This rhyme, with a little effort and a magnifying glass, can be read on the piece of paper on the floor against the table leg. The inscription and the work's title 'Prince's Day' explains the occasion behind this painting: the tenth birthday of Prince William III of the house of Orange-Nassau, on 14 November 1660. This feast was not celebrated by everybody because, at the time, the Republic was divided between those for and against the prince. Jan Steen painted this tavern scene on a relatively small fo... Mehr ...