Erysichthon selling his daughter (1650 - 1660)

(1650 - 1660) by Jan SteenThis poignant work by Jan Steen, a master of the Dutch Golden Age, illustrates the tragic myth of Erysichthon from Ovid's *Metamorphoses*. The painting, rich in narrative and detail, captures a somber moment in a lush, wooded landscape, enveloped in the soft, muted light that Steen often favored.The central figure is Erysichthon, depicted in a richly colored robe, his expression one of grim determination as he interacts with the man purchasing his daughter. His daughter, a forlorn figure draped in a muted red cloak, sits resignedly under the watchful gaze of an ancient tree that spreads its branches protectively over the scene - perhaps a symbolic nod to the sacred tree Erysichthon once felled, which led to his divine punishment.In the foreground, elements such as scattered bread, fish, and a jug perhaps symbolize the fleeting nature of material sustenance against the backdrop of human suffering and greed. The rustic tools, including the ax leaning against a chopped log, remind viewers of Erysichthon’s original sacrilege - the cutting down of a sacred tree, which precipitated his ruin.Steen’s work not only recounts a classical tale but also serves as a moralistic warning against the dangers of impiety and the insatiable nature of human greed. The artist’s meticulous attention to emotional expression and the natural environment embellishes the narrative, inviting the viewer to reflect on the complex interplay of fate, divine justice, and personal choice.