Portrait of Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer (1654-1683),known as ‘The Poultry Yard’ (1660)

"Portrait of Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer (1654-1683), known as ‘The Poultry Yard’ is an enchanting oil painting by the Dutch master Jan Steen, dated 1660. This artwork presents a vivid tableau of daily life, richly populated with characters and animals that draw the viewer into Jan Steen's narrative approach to painting.The central figure of the piece is a young woman, dressed in an elegant 17th-century gown, who is believed to be Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer, an aristocrat of the time. She is gracefully feeding a chicken, representing a moment of peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. Surrounding her are a vibrant collection of poultry including chickens, roosters, and ducks that animate the scene with their varied poses and movements, bringing a dynamic quality to the serene courtyard setting.To her sides, two figures, a young boy with a basket and an older man pouring feed, further enrich the composition, each performing tasks that underscore their roles within the rural economy and society. The background opens up to a distant view of an estate, likely alluding to the social status of the young woman, and suggesting a connection between her life and the land that surrounds her.Steen's use of lighting and detail in this painting not only highlights the intricate relationships between the figures and their environment but also showcases his skill in rendering textures and colors— from the sleek feathers of the birds to the reflective surface of the water and the rustic textures of the stone and wood.