WALLS Jan Haviks (Steen Jan Haviksz)

(ca. 1626-1679)
Born in Leiden. He studied in Utrecht with Nicholas Knupfera, in The Hague with Jan van Goyen and in Haarlem from Adrian van Ostade. Entry into the guild of painters in Leiden in 1648. In 1654-1660 owned brewery in Delft, in 1661-1669 he lived in Haarlem, and from 1669 until his death kept a tavern in Leiden. In the wall paintings embodied his good-natured humor, the ability to see the ridiculous in human relations. More than 500 paintings attributed to him - scenes from everyday life, in which the action takes place in the rooms, the kitchen or in the tavern. Sometimes the walls painted in biblical, mythological and historical subjects, but always interpreted them as trivial events of real life. In his works subtlety of composition and good color solution were combined with a tendency to master narrative. Died Jan Steen in Leiden February 3, 1679.