The Lovesick Maiden (ca. 1660)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
1660Jan Steen’s painting, "The Lovesick Maiden," captures a poignant scene full of narrative intrigue and emotion, set against the backdrop of a 17th-century Dutch home. The artwork illustrates a young woman, draped gracefully in a flowing dress with vibrant pops of red and blue, embodying the melancholy of love sickness. Her gaze is distant and sorrowful, her posture languid as she rests her head on her hand, lost in thought.Beside her, the contents of a love letter seem to scatter across the table, suggesting the source of her affliction. In the foreground, symbolic elements such as a lute and overturned objects hint at the disorder and emotional turmoil in her life. A resting dog by her side adds a sense of loyalty and companionship amid her distress.On the right, two men engage in a discussion, presumably about the maiden’s condition. The man seated by the bed, possibly a doctor, appears to be giving his diagnosis or advice, highlighting the period’s common belief in love melancholy as a genuine ailment requiring attention and remedy. The presence of these figures and their interaction provides a deeper glimpse into the societal and familial concerns surrounding personal emotions during Jan Steen's era.